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.