Golf: Anthony wants LGA to be open over money matters

THE secretary of the biggest golf club in the Lothians wants to know where money is going to be spent in future by the Area Association.

Gullane’s Stephen Anthony has called on the Lothians Golf Association to present its proposed budget to clubs rather than revealing costs at the end-of-year agm.

“With golf clubs, we inform members of our budget for the following year and we are judged on how we perform against the previous year’s budget,” said Anthony, who has more than 1000 playing members at his club.

“To me, with my accounting background, a budget is important. It is more about being kept informed about where the intention is to spend money and spend income.”

Anthony’s request was granted at the AGM, where it was revealed the LGA had encountered a deficit of just under £2600 this year compared to a surplus of £872 in 2010.

Finance convenor Douglas Armstrong said a deficit of £6000 had been anticipated, but a drop in membership numbers had been offset by an increase in sponsorship.

He revealed the per capita fee paid by every club member in the Lothians would be remaining at £1.15, with any potential deficit next year being met by a “healthy £25,000 reserve.” Club delegates were also informed that a review of entry fees and prize-money for LGA events was currently taking place.

President Denys Flaherty, who was re-elected for a second term in office, has asked clubs that host ties in the Sivewright Trophy to try and reduce the cost for participating teams.

“It has been a well-supported event in the past, but has become costly for the teams involved,” he said.

“It would be helpful if they could either get courtesy of the course or a reduced green fee and I would ask clubs to look favourably at this request.”

Next year’s Lothians Championship will be held at Dalmahoy, where Dunbar’s Zander Culverwell claimed the title in 2006.

Qualifying is at Pumpherston and Harburn on May 5, with Dalmahoy staging the match-play phase from May 7-12.

Muirfield will host the final stages of the Champion of Champions – on August 7 and 9.

And the South East District Open is also heading for East Lothian in 2012, with Longniddry set to welcome the SGU Order of Merit event on September 1-2.

Other 2012 Events:

June 3: Junior Championship qualifying (Braids No. 1). June 5-8: Junior Championship (Braids No. 1). July 2: Seniors Championship (Gullane No. 2). July 21: Team Tournament (Royal Musselburgh and Newbattle). September 9: Sivewright Trophy (Prestonfield). September 23: Junior Champion of Champions (Ravelston).