Andrew McKinlay moves from SFA to become new Scottish Golf Chief Executive

NEWS RELEASE
Scottish Golf is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew McKinlay as its new Chief Executive.

Andrew joins us from the Scottish FA, where he has worked in a number of key senior management roles over the past six years, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive.

He has been appointed after a rigorous recruitment process which commenced last October and attracted a host of high-calibre applicants.

 Eleanor Cannon, Scottish Golf Chair: “On behalf of the Board of Scottish Golf, I am thrilled to welcome Andrew as our new Chief Executive. Throughout the process his experience, enthusiasm and vision stood out from a hugely impressive field of candidates.

 “We were particularly impressed by the range of responsibilities in football, especially in overseeing football’s equality and diversity strategy at all levels of the game. Increasing girls’ and women’s participation is a priority focus area for Scottish Golf and his expertise will be vital to our future growth strategy.

 “Andrew is passionate about golf and his experience working in sport and business will be integral to taking Scottish Golf’s strategic plan forward. We look forward to welcoming Andrew to Scottish Golf in May.”

 Andrew McKinlay said: “I look forward to the hugely exciting challenge of leading Scottish Golf towards a prosperous future as the governing body for the largest registered participation sport in Scotland

 “As a keen golfer, I know the many benefits of playing golf regardless of age, gender or ability. I realise a lot of hard work has been undertaken already to increase participation and accessibility to golf and, having attended December’s Future of Golf conference in Edinburgh, I believe the passion and collective will throughout the membership gives us a terrific foundation on which to build a bright future for our game.”

 Andrew McKinlay CV: 
 • January 2016 - 2018: Chief Operating Officer/Interim Chief Executive, Scottish Football Association
• April 2012 - December 2015: Director of Football Governance and Regulation, Scottish Football Association
• May 2009 - April 2012: Head of Operations, Property Solutions (a Division of Clydesdale/Yorkshire Banks)
• August 2007 - May 2009: Deputy Head of Legal Services, Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank
• March 2004 - August 2007: Head of Commercial Contracts, Legal Services, Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank

The Forecaddie: Ex-football exec Andrew McKinlay takes over sagging Scottish Golf 

By The Forecaddie

Golfweek.com

Scottish Golf finally has someone who can kick it into shape. Literally. 

The Scottish Golf has followed the European Tour and R and A by looking outside the game for its new chief executive

Andrew McKinlay takes over as head of the Scottish Golf after six years at the Scottish Football Association, the latter two years as chief operating officer and, more recently, interim chief executive.

He replaces Blane Dodds, who recently left the SGU to head up Tennis Scotland. 

Keen club golfer McKinlay arrives at a time when Scottish Golf is at low ebb. While England continues to produce a steady flow of young talent, The Man Out Front has seen Scotland lagging far behind. 

Russell Knox at 83^rd in the Official World Golf Ranking is Scotland’s leading male professional. He’s the only top 100 player. Martin Laird is second highest at 117^th. Both play exclusively on the PGA Tour.

Richie Ramsay at No. 128 and Scott Jamieson, No. 141, are the only two European Tour-based Scots in the top 200. In fact, India now has more players (5) in the top 200 than Scotland. 

Scottish women’s golf is even worse, TMOF laments. Catriona Matthew is the highest Scot in the Rolex Rankings at 146^th. She’s the only player inside the top 200. Michele Thomson is the next highest. She’s World No. 245. 

It isn’t much better in the amateur ranks. Kansas State senior Connie Jaffrey is the top Scot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking at 125^th. Sandy Scott, in his sophomore season at Texas Tech, takes that honour among the men. He’s 114^th. 

The Forecaddie is puzzled by the poor return from the nation that invented the game, especially since the Scottish Golf  invests lots of money each year trying to produce new talent. 

McKinley has some serious butt kicking to do