As part of a club support package funded by the R&A, Scottish Golf are pleased to announce that £685,000 will be made available to affiliated Scottish Golf clubs who have been affected financially by COVID-19. Scottish Golf, on behalf of our member clubs, are extremely grateful to the R&A for providing financial support to the golf industry. The grants will be made available via two separate allocations; the COVID-19 Fixed Costs Grant and the Club Relief Fund.

Details of the two funds are outlined below, and applications are welcomed from all affiliated Scottish Golf clubs:

COVID-19 Fixed Costs Grant

The COVID-19 Fixed Costs Grant will enable every affiliated club in Scotland to apply for a maximum of £500 for fixed costs specifically associated with preparing for safe play and club/course management following the COVID-19 lockdown in early March 2020. These can include but are not exhaustive of sanitation products, COVID-19 related H&S safety equipment, professional fees, signage, training, video conferencing licence (e.g. zoom) and any other COVID-19 related spend. Read more about this funding here

After a successful campaign last year, the Slip! Slap! Swing! sun protection campaign for golf has returned in 2020 with as the Melanoma Fund aims to support 500 golf clubs across the UK to become “Sun Protection Accredited.” The campaign, supported by Scottish Golf, aims to transform awareness of sun protection in golf and hopes to tackle the rapid rise of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer within the sport. Golf clubs in Scotland can get support from the Melanoma Fund who are offering free support for clubs to become Sun Protection Accredited. Find out more about this initiative here

Due to limited facilities at Clubs and restrictions by the Scottish Government, the GGU Executive has decided to cancel the following events - the Glasgow Strokeplay which was scheduled for Sunday 12th July at Sandyhills Golf Club, and the Glasgow Matchplay Championship which was due to be played a week later on Sunday the 19th July at Ralston Golf Club.

Following today’s announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Golf is pleased to confirm that golf clubs in Scotland can begin to prepare for a return to golf on 29 May 2020 at the earliest, subject to final confirmation by the First Minister by way of an update currently planned for 28 May.  

Scottish Golf has worked with Scottish Government, Active Scotland, sportscotland, Health Protection Scotland, The PGA and key industry partners at every opportunity to produce a clear guide for all golf clubs and golfers in Scotland.

It should be noted that a final decision will be made by the First Minister on 28 May and if any changes to the current procedures are required to align with updates provided by Scottish Government then these will be shared with you as soon as they are known to ensure re-opening plans can be updated or adjusted accordingly.

Once golf has resumed, the following groupings will be permitted to play Golf in Scotland:

• Two Balls – may be from two households whilst maintaining physical distancing
• Groups up to 4 four players permitted at the discretion of the golf club (ensuring that only two households are represented in the group)

Scottish Golf would like to highlight that the Scottish Government continues to monitor its response to the COVID-19 outbreak closely and have not ruled out the re-introduction of restrictions which could see golf paused again if these guidelines are not being followed. 

It is therefore imperative that golf clubs take the necessary steps outlined prior to opening their courses for play and adhere to the guidelines detailed in our guide.

Due to the current Coronavirus crisis facing the country, the Championship Committee of the Glasgow Golf Union have decided to cancel our Summer Meeting. It was due to be played at the Bishopbriggs Golf Club on Sunday 5th July. Refunds will be issued to all competitors who have paid in the next few days.

The committee also took the decision to cancel our Champion of Champions matchplay event both Mens and Juniors, which were due to be played over the summer months.

As our Member Clubs enter week 5 of the current lockdown enforced due to the COVID 19 pandemic and all our Clubs remain closed, The GGU Executive would like to pass on our best wishes to all Members and their families during this difficult period.

As a gesture of support to our Clubs, The Executive have decided to refund to each Member Club a sum equivalent to 50% of the Affiliation Fees collected earlier in 2020. Whilst we are half way through our 2019/2020 Financial Year we believe that to provide this refund now shows our willingness to support our Clubs and their memberships during these unprecedented and financially challenging times. These refunds have now been sent and should be with each of our Clubs this week. 

Unfortunately our popular Seniors Championships due to be held on Wednesday 6th May at Gailes Links has become the first of our 2020 competitions to be cancelled and our remaining fixtures this year are in serious doubt. Scottish Golf have also recently announced the cancellation of their full 2020 fixture list. We can only look forward to some form of normality resuming later this year which will allow us back onto our Courses to enjoy the game we love. COVID 19 advice is available to all Clubs on the Scottish Golf website as we all adapt to the circumstances currently in place. Please see www.scottishgolf.org for regular updates.

View the full statement here

The Union has listened to and taken advice in respect of the ongoing worldwide situation regarding the Coronavirus and considering that we have been advised that where possible any large gatherings, visits for social activity, restriction on the use of public transport, restaurants, sports centres etc. should be avoided.

It has been decided that the forthcoming Seniors Championship due to be played at Gailes Links on Wednesday 6th May has been cancelled. Refunds will be issued in the coming days.

Other Union events and activities are currently under discussion and decisions on these will be made soon and will be based on the ongoing restrictions imposed which are changing on an almost daily basis.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause; however, it would be irresponsible for us to ignore WHO, Government, Scottish Government and Chief Medical Officer advice and that decisions have been taken to safeguard the health interests of all players, officials and spectators.

A copy of this statement may be downloaded here

The following link may be of help : https://www.pga.info/covid-19-resource-hub/

The 56th GGU Annual Dinner and Prizegiving was held on Friday 6th March at Cathkin Braes Golf Club with 115 Members and Guests attending. The evening was chaired by our president Sandy Anderson and those present were entertained by Speakers Ian Ross and Jim Leishman whose humorous speeches were enjoyed by all present. In addition Eleanor Cannon, Chair of Scottish Golf provided a brief update on the current strategic initiatives within Scottish Golf.
Cathkin Braes Golf Club and Club Captain Ronnie Grant are due a vote of thanks for providing us with an excellent location and first class service on the evening.

View the photo gallery here