Bert Leslie becomes President for 2010

George Macgregor, Michael Clark and Maurice Shields

new directors on the Scottish Golf Union Board

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
The Scottish Golf Union Limited has announced the arrival of three new Directors onto their Board at their AGM on Sunday 24 January, whilst Bathgate Golf Club’s Bert Leslie has been appointed as President for 2010.
Leslie, a former Scotland and Walker Cup selector, has been a key figure within the Lothians Golf Association for the past two decades having served as President and representative on the SGU Council.
The 66-year-old takes over from Ian Ross to become the Scottish Golf Union’s 48th President, whilst Hazlehead’s Gordon Murray becomes Vice President.
George Macgregor, the former Walker Cup player and captain, succeeds the retiring Robert Burns as Director of Championships, whilst Michael Clark has been appointed Director of Business and Marketing activity, with Douglas Corner also stepping down after six years. The third new face on the Board for 2010 is Maurice Shields from Dumbartonshire Golf Union, who takes on the role of Junior Vice President.
New President Bert Leslie said:
“It’s a fantastic honour to be elected President of the Scottish Golf Union at the start of an exciting new decade. The last twelve months have been challenging for many clubs across the country but the SGU Board has committed additional resource to supporting our member clubs during these difficult times.
“Scotland’s leading amateurs have achieved great things over the last two years and I’m very proud to be President of a country boasting the World and European Amateur team titles. I’m sure that success will continue as a result of the work our Academies and coaches are doing,” he added.
Macgregor is a well known and popular face on the Scottish golf scene having been one of the country’s most successful amateurs. He captained the GB&I Walker Cup side in 1997 having played in the event five times, whilst representing Scotland over an 18-year period between 1969 and 1987.
He was Company Secretary at Dalmore Mills until 2004, nearby his home club of Glencorse on the outskirts of Penicuik.
Clark is a much respected businessman in the North-east, having been Managing Director then Chairman of International Fish Canners since 1992. He is also Vice Chairman of the Grampian Food Group and a Director of Scottish Enterprise Grampian.
A 3-handicap golfer, Clark is a past captain of Royal Aberdeen and is also a member of Nairn, Cruden Bay and the Isle of Harris Golf Clubs.
New Junior Vice-President Maurice Shields is a recently retired PE teacher, having worked at a number of schools in the Glasgow area also in the role of acting Principal and Assistant Head Teacher.
A member of Windyhill Golf Club, he has been an executive member of the Dumbaronshire Golf Union since 1993, operating in many roles and has served as Scotland team manager at Boys’ and Men’s level.
Douglas Connon, speaking at beginning of his second year of office as Chairman of the SGU, welcomed the new appointments:
“We are delighted to welcome George, Michael and Maurice onto the Board. They each bring invaluable experience in their respective areas and their input will be vital as we grow the game, develop talent and support our clubs in these challenging but exciting times.
“I’d also like to congratulate Bert Leslie on his appointment as President and take this opportunity to thank Douglas Corner, Robert Burns and Ian Ross for their contributions to Scottish golf.”