Scottish golf unification bid comes up short of votes

At a special meeting held at Tulliallan in Fife, the men's Area associations voted 10-6 against the proposal to bring the home of golf into line with most other countries around the world by forming a unified organisation with the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association.

The decision, which came 24 hours after the SLGA had given the proposal overwhelming support, was described in a statement issued by the SGU as a "setback" for Scottish golf. It also claimed the vote was contrary to the view expressed by the majority of the country's clubs, which the Area associations represent.

The SGU Board will now meet on Monday week to consider its options but admitted it had "taken heart" from the fact all of the Areas had at least voiced their support for amalgamation in principle.

Under company law, the SGU was prohibited from revealing the way Areas voted but, according to a poll conducted a fortnight ago by The Scotsman, only Angus, Ayrshire, North, North-East and Perth & Kinross were definitely in the "yes" camp.

They were then joined by Borders earlier this week after officials announced a U-turn following criticism from clubs who were in favour of the proposal.

The other ten Areas voted against the proposal despite a warning from sportscotland that the failure to create the amalgamated body could jeopardise public funding of golf.

The sticking point for them is the SGU Board's plan to remove a second tier of governance and hand the voting rights instead to the golf clubs. "The 16 Areas that make up the Scottish Golf Union and are its shareholders voted ten to six against the amalgamation proposal," said the SGU statement.

"This means the proposal in its current format has not received the required level of support by our shareholders and therefore amalgamation cannot proceed at this stage

"The Scottish Golf Union Board is disappointed with the outcome of the Areas' vote. The Board believes that the vote is contrary to the wishes of the majority of clubs they represent, which saw 263 affiliated clubs (89.2 per cent) approve the amalgamation proposal from the 295 clubs (51 per cent) that formally responded with their views.

"The amalgamation proposal has also been strongly supported by the amateur game's other key stakeholders, including the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association and its members (clubs and counties), major funders sportscotland and other commercial sponsors and partners.

"The Scottish Golf Union's commitment to supporting clubs, together with developing talent and growing the game, remains at the heart of our activities and we will continue to strengthen relationships with clubs to deliver against this strategy."

The statement went on to say: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all clubs for their assistance and patience during this lengthy process.

"The Scottish Golf Union Board believes that this result is a setback for the future development and governance of Scottish amateur golf.

"However, the Board takes heart from the fact that all 16 Areas have consistently reaffirmed their support for amalgamation and a commitment to finding a way to achieve amalgamation working with the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association.

"The Board will continue to act in the best interests of Scottish golf and will meet on 6 June to consider how we can progress this important matter.

"Further comment will be available following that meeting."

Sportscotland issued a statement last night expressing disappointment that the amalgamation proposal had been thwarted.

The body's partnership manager for golf, Stuart Ferrier said: "Sportscotland is disappointed that the amalgamation of the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association was not approved this week.

"We are encouraged by the Ladies' emphatic vote in favour and all other parties voicing support for amalgamation in principle, which is in the best interest of the sport.

"We will continue to work with the bodies and their members to create one strong amateur body to govern golf in Scotland."