Hamish Grey appointed Scottish Golf chief executive

Hamish Grey has been picked ahead of Karin Sharp as the chief executive of Scottish Golf, the new unified body running the amateur game in the country.

Grey was the chief executive officer of the Scottish Golf Union while Sharp was chief operating officer of the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association until the two organisations merged on 1 October.

Both were considered by the Board of Scottish Golf to head up the new organisation, with Grey getting the nod ahead of Sharp, who has been appointed instead as corporate services director.

“The coming together of men and women’s golf is a landmark moment for the sport,” said Eleanor Cannon, Chair of Scottish Golf.

“It brings with it a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change and modernise a game that has its roots in Scotland and to think carefully about the legacy this generation leaves the next.

“The Board looks forward to working together with Hamish, Karin and the wider team to create a long-term strategy that builds on the game’s strong position in Scotland, attracts new golfers to the sport and develops more home-grown talent that can compete with the best golfers in the world.”

Grey, a 48-year-old Kiwi, moved to the UK in 1997 and joined the Scottish Golf Union the following year.

“It is a privilege to be asked to lead Scottish Golf as this exciting chapter in the game’s story begins,” he said, having taken up his new post with immediate effect.

“We start from a good position, but there is an important job to do to support our clubs and to grow this important sport to the benefit of every part of society.

“More than a quarter of a million people now regularly play golf in Scotland and we are determined that number will grow, giving more people the opportunity to play this great game and strengthening its foundations as we do so.”

Sharp’s role will see her head up the organisation’s finance, HR, IT and office management operations.