SGU-SLGA AMALGAMATION STIRS UP ROBUST DISCUSSION
FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
The proposal to create a unified body to run amateur golf in Scotland is expected to stir up "robust discussion" when it comes under consideration at the annual meetings of the organisations involved in a mooted amalgamation over the next two weekends.
It will get its first airing tomorrow morning, when the Scottish Ladies Golf Association, which has been in existence since 1904, gathers in Perth, before coming under scrutiny again next Sunday, when the Scottish Golf Union, which is 16 years younger than its female equivalent, meets at Tulliallan.
Over the past few months, both organisations have held a series of meetings with the Area and County associations that have a say in the running of those bodies at present, with Donald Turner, the chairman of an amalgamation working group, aiming for a vote to be taken around May.
While admitting it is a major change, Hamish Grey, chief executive of the SGU, believes the move is a "no-brainer", especially as it would bring Scotland into line with most countries in the world. However, while warm to the idea of having a single body in charge of Scottish amateur golf, some of the 16 Areas and 15 Counties are concerned about the proposal as it stands, with the men, for instance, having held two meetings over the past couple of months to discuss the matter.
That resulted in a letter being sent to Douglas Connon, the chairman of the SGU, and now the proposal could be about to reach a crucial phase as officials of both organisations prepare to meet delegates from around the country over the next couple of weekends," said Hamish Grey.
"As with any change, not everyone is 100 per cent agreed with how to do it. But everyone is unanimous that amalgamation is something we should be doing. We'll take that feedback and revise the proposal, have ten seminars with Areas and clubs, then take stock and put the final proposal to the membership."
"The Scotsman" believes ten Areas attended the first of the aforementioned meetings, with five more being in attendance when they re-convened.
"After the second of those meetings, it was agreed a letter should be sent to Mr Connon to say that the general view was that the proposal at the moment needed further discussion," said Denys Flaherty, president of the Lothians Golf Association.
"From what we have heard, a lot of the ladies' County Associations have got reservations about the proposal due to how it is going to affect them. One of the concerns is that they are going to get swamped due to the numbers and won't be able to contribute to the running of Scottish golf."
TO READ MARTIN DEMPSTER'S ARTICLE IN FULL ON THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE,
CLICK HERE
By Martin Dempster
The proposal to create a unified body to run amateur golf in Scotland is expected to stir up "robust discussion" when it comes under consideration at the annual meetings of the organisations involved in a mooted amalgamation over the next two weekends.
It will get its first airing tomorrow morning, when the Scottish Ladies Golf Association, which has been in existence since 1904, gathers in Perth, before coming under scrutiny again next Sunday, when the Scottish Golf Union, which is 16 years younger than its female equivalent, meets at Tulliallan.
Over the past few months, both organisations have held a series of meetings with the Area and County associations that have a say in the running of those bodies at present, with Donald Turner, the chairman of an amalgamation working group, aiming for a vote to be taken around May.
While admitting it is a major change, Hamish Grey, chief executive of the SGU, believes the move is a "no-brainer", especially as it would bring Scotland into line with most countries in the world. However, while warm to the idea of having a single body in charge of Scottish amateur golf, some of the 16 Areas and 15 Counties are concerned about the proposal as it stands, with the men, for instance, having held two meetings over the past couple of months to discuss the matter.
That resulted in a letter being sent to Douglas Connon, the chairman of the SGU, and now the proposal could be about to reach a crucial phase as officials of both organisations prepare to meet delegates from around the country over the next couple of weekends," said Hamish Grey.
"As with any change, not everyone is 100 per cent agreed with how to do it. But everyone is unanimous that amalgamation is something we should be doing. We'll take that feedback and revise the proposal, have ten seminars with Areas and clubs, then take stock and put the final proposal to the membership."
"The Scotsman" believes ten Areas attended the first of the aforementioned meetings, with five more being in attendance when they re-convened.
"After the second of those meetings, it was agreed a letter should be sent to Mr Connon to say that the general view was that the proposal at the moment needed further discussion," said Denys Flaherty, president of the Lothians Golf Association.
"From what we have heard, a lot of the ladies' County Associations have got reservations about the proposal due to how it is going to affect them. One of the concerns is that they are going to get swamped due to the numbers and won't be able to contribute to the running of Scottish golf."
TO READ MARTIN DEMPSTER'S ARTICLE IN FULL ON THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE,
CLICK HERE
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Friday, January 14, 2011
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