Thursday 30 April 2020

2020 AMATEUR EVENTS UPDATE - WOMEN'S AMATEUR AT KILMARNOCK BARASSIE 25TH - 29TH AUGUST 2020

The R&A has announced plans to stage both the Women's Amateur Championship and the Amateur Championship in new slots later in the year.

The two prestigious events had already been postponed in their original dates in June due to the ongoing threat posed by the coronavirus.

But hopes they can still be played have been boosted by the R&A confirming an updated 2020 schedule for amateur events and international matches.

The Women’s Amateur Championship has been rescheduled to 25-29 August at Kilmarnock (Barassie) while the Amateur Championship has been slotted in for 25-30 August at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire.

"These plans are dependent on the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and we will continue to follow the guidance from the UK Government, health authorities and our own medical consultants," said the R&A in a press release.


GIRLS AND WOMEN EVENTS TAKING PLACE
  • The R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship will be played from 11-15 August at Southport & Ainsdale as scheduled
  • The R&A Women’s Senior Amateur Championship will be played from 19-21 August at Ashridge as scheduled 
  • The Women’s Amateur Championship has been rescheduled from 23-27 June to 25-29 August at Kilmarnock (Barassie)
Read more details on the R&A WEBSITE

WEST OF SCOTLAND RANKINGS WEEK 17 - 2020

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Are you wondering why the weekly MGRankings change when golf courses/clubs are currently closed and thus no competitive club counting events are being played? MGRanking is based on data compiled from a rolling 52 week cycle. This week the result data from Week 2019/17 is by data from Week 2020/17 which may not exist.

The full West of Scotland Counties MGRankings (Club and Player) are now available and may be viewed on your link to MyGolfRanking.net. (Full lists will be available next week)



Rank
MGR
Move
Player 
Club 
Points
1
47
5
Caroline King
Clober Ladies
1220
2
61
2
Jane Clark
Airdrie Ladies
1207
3
135
674
Audrey Thompson
Loudoun Gowf Ladies
1144
4
168
-9
Ashley Duffy
Clober Ladies
1129
5
341
114
Susan Rattray
Douglas Park Ladies
1083
6
458
-152
Jan Macnab
Ranfurly Castle GC Ladies
1064
7
468
-8
Katharine Hardman
Dunaverty Ladies
1063
8
503
2473
Liz Keohone
Loudoun Gowf Ladies
1057
9
530
996
Josephine Monaghan
Dumbarton Ladies
1053
10
544
243
Gillian Kennedy
Troon Welbeck Ladies
1051
11
596
2
Lorna Spencer
Largs Ladies
1043
12
627
7
Paula Galloway
Douglas Park Ladies
1038
13
629
2
Pauline Patrick
Irvine Ladies
1038
14
743
1152
Robina Gilbertson
Prestwick St Nicholas Ladies
1026
15
823
400
Jill Burgess
Hilton Park Ladies
1016
16
1042
-9
Amy Mcdonald
Bothwell Castle Ladies
998
17
1050
-11
Allison A Bell
Strathaven GC Ladies
998
18
1106
-13
Sarah Kemp
Helensburgh Ladies
992
19
1113
4
Heather Climson
East Renfrewshire Ladies
992
20
1226
1477
Joanne Sharp
Kilmarnock (Barassie) Ladies
984


AYRSHIRE LADIES
1 Audrey Thompson (Loudoun Gowf) 1144 points
2 Liz Keohane (Loudoun Gowf) 1057
3 Gillian Kennedy (Troon Welbeck) 1051
4 Lorna Spencer (Largs) 1043
5 Pauline Patrick (Irvine) 1038
6 Robina Gilbertson (Prestwick St Nicholas) 1026
7 Joanne Sharp (Kilmarnock (Barassie)) 984
8 Aileen Anderson (Loudoun Gowf) 966
9 Anne Burns (Loudoun Gowf) 951
10 Janet Harkness (Skelmorlie) 939

AYRSHIRE LADIES CLUBS
1 Loudoun Gowf 894
2 Largs 873
3 Kilmarnock (Barassie) 831
T4 Prestwick St Nicholas, Troon Welbeck 828
6 Skelmorlie 804
7 Prestwick St Cuthbert 742
8 Girvan 727
9 Irvine 708
10 Brodick 447

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES
1 Caroline King (Clober) 1220 points
2 Ashley Duffy (Clober) 1129
3 Susan Rattray (Douglas Park) 1083
4 Katharine Hardman (Dunaverty) 1063
5 Josephine Monaghan (Dumbarton) 1053
6 Paula Galloway (Douglas Park) 1038
7 Jill Burgess (Hilton Park) 1016
8 Sarah Kemp (Helensburgh) 992
9 Gillian Morrison (Clober) 979
10 Margaret Mackinnon (Lochgilphead) 976

DUNBARTONSHIRE/ARGYLL LADIES CLUBS
1 Clober 1048
2 Palacerigg 857
3 Balmore 856
4 Douglas Park 842
5 Dunaverty 833
6 Dumbarton 785
T7 Blairmore & Strone, Lochgilphead 767
9 Helensburgh 750
10 Hilton Park 713

LANARKSHIRE LADIES
1 Jane Clark Airdrie) 1207 points
T2 Allison Bell (Strathaven), Amy McDonald (Bothwell
Castle) 998
4 Ruth Hunter (Lanark) 968
5 Nichola Craig (Lanark) 961
6 Elaine Johnstone (Hamilton) 939
7 Emily Lowther (Kirkhill) 917
8 Abigail McCafferty (Airdrie) 897
9 Susan Halley (Strathaven) 896
10 Lisa Chan (Hamilton) 892

LANARKSHIRE LADIES CLUBS
1 Airdrie 888
2 Lanark 828
3 Kirkhill 802
4 Strathaven 789
5 Hamilton 781
6 Carnwath 767
7 Bothwell Castle 766
8 Langlands 742
9 Crow Wood 459

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES
1 Jan Macnab (Ranfurly Castle) 1064 points
2 Heather Climson (East Renfrewshire) 992
3 Denise Cowan (Ranfurly Castle) 980
4 Janette McCartney (Erskine) 962
5 Anabel Kane (Kilmacolm) 951
6 Sandra Reid (Renfrew) 915
7 Allison Murray (Ranfurly Castle) 913
8 Lynda Bradley (Kilmacolm) 889
T9 Mary Aitken (Erskine), Marion Munro (Ranfurly Castle) 863

RENFREWSHIRE LADIES CLUBS
1 Erskine 871
2 Ranfurly Castle 849
3 Renfrew 826
4 Kilmacolm 731
5 Bonnyton 711
6 East Renfrewshire 662
7 Paisley 585
8 Earl of Mar 167

Tuesday 28 April 2020

FIRST NEWSLETTER FROM KARIN SHARP AT SCOTTISH GOLF

Dear Member Clubs,
 
In my first newsletter since taking the lead at Scottish Golf, I wanted to offer a more detailed outline to our membership on decisions that have been made recently, and the strategy and rationale behind them. Making key decisions in such uncertain times is a challenge all businesses are facing and at Scottish Golf we have a responsibility to protect the organisation and all the clubs we represent. In such difficult circumstances, it was important that action was taken to deliver tangible offerings to all golf clubs. If ever the “one size fits all” theory is not ideal, it is now, but to act swiftly this is the model that has to be used. From a financial planning perspective, there were many uncertainties where robust information was required to ensure that responsible business decisions were made.
 
Decisions recently made: 

Events – Cancel all events for 2020
Rationale – The decision to cancel all events was not made lightly, or purely on the basis of when it would be possible to play a round of golf, or even run an event in the future. We had to take into consideration the full requirements to run a National Championship and the impact it would have, like:
  • When would courses be open for Championship play? 
  • Would it be fair to close a member’s course for up to a week and deny that membership their facility when they have been starved of golf for many weeks/months at a key time of the year? 
  • Would it be safe for our staff and volunteers to run events?
  • Where would the participants stay (would hotels, guest houses be open)? Once at the event, would clubhouses and restaurants be open for them to eat at? 
  • When will normal playing conditions be achieved? We could be playing with upturned cups, no rakes for bunkers etc for some time post restrictions being lifted and we question whether National Championships should be contested under potentially restricted playing conditions?
We have been in touch with all of the 2020 Host Venue Clubs and given them first refusal to host the same event in the 2021 season. We continue to work through the logistics of this with the current and subsequent year venues but with staff furloughed both in clubs and at Scottish Golf, this process is going to take some time and we will provide further updates on the 2021 calendar in the coming months. 

Performance – Cancel the performance programme for the remainder of 2020 playing season
Rationale – Another decision not taken lightly, with many of the reasons for cancelling our own events also being relevant to performance activity, along with the additional key aspect of not knowing when international travel might be permitted. In taking an early decision in consultation with external funders to the performance programme and by making our position clear, it enabled us to redirect funds for golf club support.

Golf Club Financial Survey – To issue a short survey to all clubs
Rationale – This was the final key part in our planning to give us a clear picture on the facts behind the current landscape. Contrary to the thoughts of some, this was never intended as an intrusive survey, more to ensure we were basing decisions on facts as opposed to opinions. A personal thank you to all the clubs who completed this survey in such a timely manner.  Through recent work, and with sportscotland’s assistance, we are now also gaining a clearer understanding of the number of clubs impacted by possible grant restriction based on their rateable value. This will continue to be an ongoing discussion with Government for us.
What next?

Return to Golf – A topic that many have been asking about and one which we are actively engaging with many key partners to move forward. We have had positive discussion in the last few days with government (through key contacts in Active Scotland and sportscotland) and have their support in what is a planning phase. We are also collaborating with key industry partners to ensure that across GB&I we are developing a consistent approach that can be adopted when the time is right. It is highly likely that any return will be in phases, with single golfers or household groups in the first instance to ensure that the golf industry continues to adhere to government guidelines – within our clubs, we will have a mix of front line & key workers, along with vulnerable groups who have been shielding or self-isolating for lengthy periods and we must continue to ensure we can keep everyone safe. To be clear, we are very much in the planning phase to ensure that when the time is right, we are well placed and have the support of key partners to be able to move quickly to update clubs with detailed information as to what a phased return to golf will look like. In the meantime, whilst we remain in lockdown with the restrictions in place we must continue to stay home and save lives. 

Affiliation Fees – As you know our financial year runs from 1st October to 30th September, so the Coronavirus Pandemic impact on Golf Course closure happened just a few days short of 6 months into the current year. The Regulations of Scottish Golf state that all affiliation fees are in fact due by the end of January, but in recent years Scottish Golf moved this to the end of March to try and assist clubs with cash flow based on when a large portion of club membership fees fall due. For various reason as of today almost 40% of affiliation fees due to Scottish Golf remain unpaid. The payment due by date was informally extended to allow time for further internal discussion and we have made no representation to clubs chasing the outstanding balances at this time. On a more positive note, as of last week our membership reported an average of 75% of 2020 membership has already been renewed, 64% of Clubs have already applied for/received their Government Support Fund, and 76% have made use of Government Furlough. For clarity this is based on 135 clubs that responded.

Scottish Golf Support – With all of the above taken into consideration, we are now in a position to announce our plans to assist golf clubs from a financial perspective over the remaining 6 months of this financial year, and into our 2020/21 financial year. We are making an immediate commitment to our clubs that offers in excess of £575,000 of support by way of refund or rebate on affiliation fees. This equates to 50% reduction of the remaining 6 months of the financial year. We are also committing to interest free payment plans for any club that needs it for the 2019/20 financial year and the 2020/21 financial year. 

Summary of our commitment:
  • All clubs can apply for a 25% refund on their total 2019/20 affiliation fee invoice. Clubs that have already paid can apply for a refund or carry over a credit to the 2020/21 invoice year.
  • All clubs can apply for an interest free payment plan for both the 2019/20 period and the 2020/21 financial year. 
  • Any club that elects not to take the 25% refund/discount, we will commit that value to a club support fund which will be used for clubs under considerable financial strain. The value of this fund will become clear once all refund applications have been processed and the outcome will be published.
  • Scottish Golf will communicate the application process to all clubs within the next 14 days (noting it will be different for clubs who have paid, those who are adhering to committed payment plans and those clubs who have not communicated their intent). 
A final thought:
 
As a member organisation it is imperative that we all are considerate of each other and work as a collective. Here at Scottish Golf we have colleagues, with families, who work hard on behalf of the game in Scotland and whom we have looked to treat with fairness and respect. Some of those colleagues we have had to furlough – others continue to work supporting the membership through these challenging times. Like our member clubs, we have other fixed business expenses that we must pay, however we are in a fortunate position where the combination of reserves and reallocation of budget from events and performance activity have allowed us to take the financial decision to refund part of the affiliation fee. We recognise that some clubs will be struggling more than others in these challenging times, particularly those who don’t have reserves on which they can rely. 
 
If we commit to working together and supporting each other, golf can come out of this crisis in a stronger more unified way. I will do all that I can to support every club with the resources I have, but I also ask that clubs recognise that my limited team (13 since furlough) are working flat out to adapt to an ever-changing world. Following on from today, I will be in dialogue with the Areas and Counties to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges they are hearing of at a local level (many of these calls were scheduled at the end of last week), and I will also make myself available to assist our wider membership in any way that I can. 
 
Thank you and stay safe.
Karin Sharp
Chief Operating Officer

Thursday 23 April 2020

An Open Letter to the Scotsman Newspaper

An open letter to The Scotsman

Scottish Golf would like to address a number of comments made by The Scotsman newspaper in recent days following the departure of Scottish Golf’s CEO, Andrew McKinlay.
It has been indicated in one article that “it is edging close to being time for Scottish golf clubs to be contemplating rebellion.” We have spoken with, and had unprompted support of Scottish Golf’s strategy, vision and leadership from over 50 golf clubs and officials over the last 24 hours alone. This support varies from Club, Area and County representatives.
On social media, it was said that there is “no surprise to hear that Scottish Golf is now being reported to be in legal battles with software companies over its Venue Management System as this has been in the background for the past few months.” Scottish Golf can categorically deny any involvement in any “legal battles.”
Over the past 48 hours, Scottish Golf was not given the right to respond to any of the articles and allegations made towards them. This is despite the fact that we are always open to responding and working with colleagues in the media to address any requests that we receive. 
Allegations made about the Chair of Scottish Golf in editorial by The Scotsman are unfounded and unrepresentative of the truth. We believe the sentiment of which they have been written is on the verge of intimidation and harassment. Eleanor Cannon, who works on a voluntary basis, continues to have the full support of our Board. As an organisation we also continue to work with and have the support of the Government, R&A and sportscotland.
At Scottish Golf, we believe in open, honest and transparent communications at all times. It is our duty to support our member clubs during this difficult time and we remain committed to providing this help for golf clubs across the country.
Scottish Golf Board

SCOTTISH GOLF ZOOM MEETING - EPISODE 1


SCOTTISH GOLF  were delighted to welcome over 150 golf club officials from across Scotland to their first in a series of Zoom Panel Webinars. 
You can read more and catch up if you missed out ðŸ‘‰CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Also to see the recording of the Webinar -- 

Scottish Golf Zoom Panel Webinar - Episode 1 from Scottish Golf on Vimeo.

For all members of the Zoom Meeting - CLICK HERE

WHERE DOES SCOTTISH GOLF GO NOW - BY MARTIN DEMPSTER

Today's Articles in the Scotsman Newspaper
CLICK TO ENLARGE AND READ
Martin Dempster of the Scotsman  his article in todays paper is well worth reading - With Scottish Golf stumbling from one crisis to another and losing its third chief executive in four years - it is edging close for Scottish Golf Clubs to be contemplating a rebellion.

Subscribe to the Scotsman as you webmaster does to keep up to date with all Martin's Golf News

Wednesday 22 April 2020

Scottish Golf Announces Leadership Change and Continuing Club Focus and Support

Following the statement yesterday that Scottish Golf CEO Andrew McKinlay has decided to leave the organisation, today they are announcing a number of key steps to ensure a sustainable future for Scottish Golf, along with targeted initiatives to support their 575 affiliated clubs through these extremely challenging times.

This month the governing body significantly reduced staffing numbers through utilisation of the Government furlough scheme. In addition, and in response to the global health crisis, they felt it sensible to take early decisive action and cancel all events and performance programmes for the remainder of the 2020 season enabling available resources to be reprioritised towards golf club support.

Eleanor Cannon, Chair of Scottish Golf said: “The Board and Executive Team have had to make very tough decisions in order to focus on ensuring we are in a sustainable position going forward when courses reopen. With many clubs feeling the financial strain, which in turn has had a knock-on effect on our income, we have prioritised expenditure accordingly. Now more than ever we need strong leadership backed up by robust actionable plans. I am very pleased to announce that The Board has invited Karin Sharp to lead the organisation with immediate effect, from her current role as Chief Operating Officer.

Karin has outstanding operational pedigree gained through various leadership roles within RBS where her career spanned 23 years, predominately in their Corporate & Commercial Banking Division. She joined Scottish Ladies Golfing Association in November 2013 as Chief Operating Officer and, following the amalgamation in 2015, has ultimately continued in the same role for Scottish Golf.”

Karin said: “In response to these unprecedented circumstances we have issued a short financial health check survey to our member clubs which seeks to gather key information, specifically around the impact of COVID-19 to golf club operations. This detail will directly contribute to, and significantly inform, our ongoing dialogue with Scottish Government in relation to the struggles faced by golf in Scotland. This information is crucial. To enable us to represent the situation accurately and effectively, I urge all clubs to complete the survey at the earliest opportunity. 

In addition, this Thursday we will host the first of our weekly support webinars, open to all member golf clubs. We have brought together experts from golf club management, finance, marketing and commercial disciplines that are on hand to offer advice on the significant challenges our clubs are currently facing.”

Karin will continue to be supported by Iain Forsyth the Scottish Golf Chief Commercial Officer. Iain has more than 30 years’ commercial leadership experience working in the golf industry. Both Karin and Iain have voluntarily decided to take a 20% pay cut for the 
foreseeable future.

Scottish Golf continues to be in active dialogue with Scottish Government, sportscotland and the R&A on the up to date guidance and advice relative to the current health and economic crisis