Golf: SGU hold talks on merger with Ladies' Golf Association

THE Scottish Golf Union will "use facts, not fiction" when it meets with Lothians officials today to discuss its proposals to amalgamate with the Scottish Ladies' Golf Association.

It was claimed at last week's Lothians Golf Association agm by one club delegate that the amalgamation would raise an extra 1?million for the unified body based on a per capita levy of 11 being proposed.

However, SGU chief executive Hamish Grey says that figure is wildly inaccurate, as will be outlined at that meeting today, when details of the amalgamation will be outlined to Lothians officials.

"The SGU and SLGA currently collect subscriptions from clubs on the same basis," said Grey. "That is, we determine the subscription due by a club by multiplying the number of adult males (SGU) and females (SLGA) by the agreed annual per capita.

"The amalgamation proposal is to set the per capita for adult male and female members (with playing rights) at the same level with effect from October 1 next year. Therefore, the proposed 11 per capita for adult male and female members would be applied to determine club's subscription level from this time next year."

He added: "If the SGU and SLGA do not amalgamate then the planned per capita for each body at the same time would be SLGA 14 (no rise this year] and SGU 10 (currently 9].

"Therefore, clubs will be saving 3 per adult female member and paying 1 more per adult male as we move to equalise the per capita for both genders.

"The Lothians meeting is one of a series of meetings and we very much look forward to discussing the way forward, but using facts not fiction!"