Single governing body for Scottish golf a step closer to becoming a reality

Delegates at last night’s Lothians Golf Association annual meeting at Newbattle were told that an independent chairman had agreed to spearhead a new working group.

The development was revealed by outgoing Lothians president Denys Flaherty as he delivered an update on the proposed amalgamation of the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association.

It failed to win sufficient support when it was voted on by the 16 men’s Area associations in Scotland around 18 months ago.

Reporting on the progress since then, Flaherty said the SGU chairman Tom Craig and its president Maurice Shields had met with the Area executives.

“At these meetings it was confirmed that all the Areas wished to continue to work towards amalgamation and hopefully see it to fruition providing that the terms were satisfactory,” he remarked.

With the SLGA having indicated it is willing to proceed with new discussions, the wheels are now in motion in both bodies to appoint representatives to the new working group.

“An independent chairman has been approached and has agreed to chair this working group,” added Flaherty.

“I understand that a formal statement will be issued from the SGU and SLGA in the very near future to update all clubs of the current position.”

Flaherty handed over the president’s chain to Alistair Bisset, who is the first Prestonfield member to hold the post since Bill Sivewright in the early 1960s.

His right-hand man for the next two years will be Turnhouse member Allan Shaw, who has served as the LGA’s secretary for the past 12 years.

Ken Wood (Haddington), Jimmy Lamond (Pumpherston) and Bobby Robertson (Royal Musselburgh) have all been appointed as honorary vice presidents.

Robertson had stepped down as tournament secretary after 14 years, his successor in that post being Duncan Campbell of Swanston New.