All change in Musselburgh

A DECISION to dispense with the services of one of the longest-serving professionals in the Lothians has led to a vote of no confidence in the club’s 
management committee.

John Henderson, who has been at Royal Musselburgh for more than 20 years, is losing his job at the end of the month.

It follows a decision by the Musselburgh Miners Charitable Society (MMCS), which owns and manages the golf course and clubhouse at Prestongrange, to terminate his contract.

Ahead of Henderson’s imminent departure, a special general meeting was called by MMCS members this week and that 
resulted in the management committee losing a motion of no confidence. Its members will now stand down as soon as a further SGM can be called to elect a new committee.

“The Council of the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club wishes to make clear that the meeting yesterday was a meeting of the MMCS and not the RMGC Ltd,” said Royal Musselburgh captain Arthur Reid. “The MMCS is the organisation which owns and manages the golf course and clubhouse at Prestongrange, including the employment of staff and the head professional.

“The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club is a separate organisation which uses the facilities at Prestongrange House and golf course. It is what is commonly known as a non-course-owning golf club.”

On the decision by MMCS to get rid of Henderson, Reid added: “The RMGC Council recognises that, in the current climate, many golf clubs are having to look at all options for cutting costs and improving efficiency.

“The MMCS, as the owner and operator of the golf course business at Prestongrange, is no different.

“The RMGC Council will seek to work closely with the new management committee of the MMCS to ensure that the golfing activities at Prestongrange are well managed.

“I am confident that the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club will continue to flourish.”