Golf feedback: SGU defends selection policy

Published on 28/10/2012 00:00

THE purpose of this correspondence is to express our unhappiness at the article “Selectors Must Pay For Sin of Omission” in the 21 October 2012 edition of Scotland on Sunday.

While we can’t shy away from our disappointing performance at the recent World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) in Turkey [Scotland tied for 44th place], the article was factually inaccurate and slanderous.

Claiming our selection policy was “shamefully prejudiced” and citing Jack McDonald’s omission “for reasons that clearly had nothing to do with golf and everything to do with the fact that he is coached by Dean Robertson rather than SGU man Ian Rae” was, frankly, incorrect and threatens reputational damage to Ian Rae, Scottish Golf National Coach, and the SGU as an organisation.

Our points are as follows:

• Jack McDonald is part of the University of Stirling golf programme (where Dean Robertson is High Performance Golf Coach), but Jack is in fact coached by Gregor Howie.

• Graeme Robertson is also part of the University of Stirling golf programme and he was selected for the WATC.

• The article infers that all three players selected for the WATC are coached by Ian Rae, but none of them in fact is.

• We are working closely with Dean Robertson across a variety of coaching matters.

As an organisation, we pride ourselves on being open and accountable.

Hamish Grey

Chief Executive Scottish Golf Union