SGU APPOINT NORTH, EAST AND WEST Club Development Officers

SGU MEDIA RELEASE

The Scottish Golf Union, following feedback from clubs across the country, has appointed a team of three Club Development Officers based in the North, East and West of Scotland.

Working under the guidance of Kevin Fish, Scottish Golf Club Development Manager, Claire Middleton (West Region), Iain Evans (East Region) and John Kemp (North Region) have taken up their new roles.

As the SGU and Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association have increased the range of services provided to affiliated clubs, the call from those clubs for more face-to-face support has grown.

Following the recent move by the Scottish Golf Union Board to release reserves after changes to the SGU Reserves Policy, the SGU has now responded to this request with the creation of the three individual regional posts.

Focusing on the SGU’s key objective of supporting clubs in these challenging times, each key post holder is to advise and support Scottish golf clubs with the goal of having a positive impact on their businesses. 

Over 70 candidates applied for the positions and, after a thorough recruitment policy, the successful trio were selected for a combination of their golf club experience and specific business skills, such as business planning and marketing, that can be applied to their roles.

Glasgow-based Claire, a marketing graduate, most recently worked as Golf Manager for Glasgow Golf Club, while business graduate Iain previously trained with Business Gateway, where he gained a post graduate diploma of Business Advice.

John, who hails from the Orkney Isles, has a degree in Golf Management from the University of the Highlands and Islands and was recently employed as Development Manager for Askernish Golf Club.

The impact of the Club Development Officers on Scottish Golf will be measured via several Key Performance Indicators and, ultimately, by club membership levels.

They will liaise closely with ClubGolf Regional Managers, who are delivering the national junior golf programme, to develop an understanding of clubs’ diverse needs, then create and deliver products and services that meet these needs.

The Club Development Officers will also assist clubs to utilise the tools available to them through their affiliation to the SGU and/or SLGA such as Governance and Business planning, HR and H and S support, benchmarking, education, marketing guidance and membership retention and recruitment.

Andy Salmon, Scottish Golf Development Manager, said of the new posts: “We have worked very hard over the last four years to offer a range of services that meet the ever-changing needs of our affiliated clubs.

“However, during this time, our greatest challenge has been communicating these services to clubs. Led by Kevin Fish, Claire, Iain and John will be very focused on supporting clubs in tackling the challenges they face and helping them establish governance structures and business plans to equip them for the future.”

Each post is for a fixed term of three years, with a formal review of the impact of the post after two years.

  

Ed Hodge SGU PR & Media Executive Direct Line: 01334 466483 Mobile No: 07850 772166