SGU in bid to resurrect amalgamation but Areas say 'tinkering' is not answer

THE Scottish Golf Union has appointed a delegation to meet with the Area associations which rejected the proposal for an amalgamation with the Scottish Ladies Golf Association but it has been warned that more than "tinkering" is required in order for the plan to be resurrected.

In the wake of the 10-6 vote a fortnight ago against the formation of a single governing body to run amateur golf in Scotland, the SGU Board has appointed three of its directors - president Gordon Murray and his two vice-presidents, Maurice Shields and Iain Harvey - to meet with the Area associations to "ascertain the reasons" behind the rejection.

Douglas Connon, the SGU chairman, said: "While the amalgamation proposal was rejected, we are encouraged that there is overwhelming support for the principle of amalgamation and a commitment from our shareholders to find a solution to achieve amalgamation.

"The Board has invited three directors to find out what those who voted against amalgamation regarded as unacceptable and, importantly, what key issues need further consideration to help achieve an agreement going forward."

The trio have been tasked with reporting back to the SGU Board by the end of next month and The Scotsman understands it is hoped that the new body could still be up and running by the end of the year.

However, Denys Flaherty, president of the Lothians, the biggest of the 16 Areas, has expressed concern about the SGU's approach to the next phase in the amalgamation bid.

"It would appear that the Board intends to determine what it is that the Areas want in order to incorporate their requests into the amalgamation proposal that was rejected," he said. "It is my opinion that the previous proposal no longer exists and no amount of tinkering will end up with a proposal that will be acceptable to the majority.

"Additionally, in an email sent to the Areas advising them of the Board's agreed course of action, it was stated that, once the meeting with the Areas had taken place, it was the Board's intention to reconvene the amalgamation working group under the chairmanship of Donald Turner.

"While accepting that he acted in an independent capacity in the previous working group, the Lothians Executive cannot agree to him continuing in that role given his enthusiastic support of a proposal that was soundly defeated by the Areas acting on mandates given to them by their clubs." Flaherty added: "The Lothians Executive agrees that there should be a meeting of the 16 Areas and, rather than offering suggestions to the Board on amendments to the rejected proposal, this meeting should devote itself to considering how best to progress amalgamation.

"In our view talks should commence as soon as possible to draw up a way forward."From the outset, representatives from the ladies' Counties should be involved and the approach should be from the bottom up, instead of the top down one adopted by the previous amalgamation working group and the Boards of SGUL and SLGA.

"The Lothians Executive looks forward to being full and active participants in progressing the amalgamation."