Scottish Golf chief executive resigns
Scottish Golf chief executive Andrew McKinlay has stepped down, the governing body have announced.
In a statement this evening, they said he had taken the decision to help the organisation navigate the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are living in unprecedented times and, as we are all very well aware, sport has no immunity to the impact of Covid-19,” they said.
“Scottish Golf, like all businesses and indeed golf clubs across the country, is having to assess its business model.
“The governing body has had to make some very difficult decisions regarding income and expenditure, to ensure sustainability in the current circumstances.
“To this end, our Chief Executive, Andrew McKinlay, has decided that he should step aside in order to help the organisation come through this situation.
- Related: Scottish Golf move swiftly to replace resigned CEO
- Related: Golf club membership holds firm in coronavirus crisis
- Related: Scottish Golf cancel all events for 2020
“He leaves having worked with the team on a revised structure that will be fit for purpose when we emerge from the national lockdown”.
McKinlay took up his post in May 2018 having been chief operating officer/deputy chief executive at the Scottish FA and succeeded Blane Dodds. He has been at the helm as Scottish Golf have developed their Venue Management System and digital app for clubs.
He said: “It has been a privilege to lead this fantastic organisation and I am grateful to Eleanor and the board for the opportunity.
“Above all I am indebted to the team at Scottish Golf for their commitment in implementing the objectives to take the game forward towards a sustainable and, indeed, prosperous future.”
Eleanor Cannon, Scottish Golf chair, added: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Andrew for his contribution to Scottish Golf over the past two years. He brought a wealth of experience to what can be a pressurised role.
“He has helped take the organisation forward and has now taken a very difficult decision at this challenging time. I thank him for doing so and wish him the very best for the future.”
Thanks for stopping by.
We wondered if you might like to contribute to supporting our journalism?
As the world enters uncharted waters, we’d like to be able to keep our content open for all to entertain and inform in the months ahead.
We’d like to think we are the voice of the ordinary golfer the world over. Whether your interest is in the game from tour level to grassroots, the latest equipment, or independent course rankings, we’ve got you covered.
If you want to read more about how you can help us and to donate, please CLICK HERE.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.