SGU under fire for not using reserves

to fund area team championship

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS WEBSITE
By WILLIAM DUNCAN
The Scottish Golf Union has come under fire over its refusal to dip into reserves to fund the country's top team tournament.
As revealed in the Evening News last week, the game's governing body in Scotland wants to make changes to the Area Team Championship, won a record 13 times by Lothians.The SGU's proposals were discussed at a workshop prior to Sunday's annual general meeting at Tulliallan and the matter proved a lot more controversial than talk of a possible amalgamation in Scottish golf.
"The consensus was that the majority of the 16 Areas want the event to run as it was originally proposed for this year," revealed Ken Wood, the Lothians President. "What I also said at the workshop was that, between now and the end of August, the SGU's proposals should be discussed with the Areas with a view to making changes from next year onwards."
Hamish Grey, the SGU's Chief Executive Officer, said the proposals had been drawn up in a bid to cut savings. At the moment, the Area Team Championship costs the SGU more than any other event to run due to the grants that are given to the Areas.
"Even if the proposed changes were made, it would still be the third-biggest funded event behind the Scottish Amateur and the Scottish Boys," added Grey.
"It's not just about this year - it's about getting a sustainable championship for the next few years. It's fair to say that no-one likes cuts but we have got to look at reality here and what we can afford."
According to Wood, the Areas believe the SGU should be dipping into its healthy reserve funds to ensure that this year's event takes place in its current format.
"The Areas themselves, including the Lothians, have already gone into their reserves but the SGU appear hell-bent on not going into theirs," he said.
"What are reserves there for? And the money we are talking about here is certainly not going to finish the SGU."
The SGU Board discussed the matter following the agm and further details are expected to emerge later this week.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Gullane will host the Scottish Amateur Championship in 2010. It will be only the fourth time the East Lothian course has staged the SGU's flagship event, the most recent being in 2004, when Fifer George Murray lifted the title.
The two other Scottish Championships held there were won by Charlie Green (1983) and Craig Everett (1990).