The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Column: Gallacher on golf.
We have got to look to the youth of today if we are going to protect golf in Scotland for the future.
KPMG’s recent golf participation report for Europe makes for worrying reading if you are a Scottish golfer, with the number of registered golfers dropping by 7,521 between 2017 and 2018.
To put that in real terms that’s a decline of 4% on the previous 12 months and is seriously worrying when you see that the figures from 2018 show 180,281 registered golfers compared to 209,812 five years ago.
It’s a trend that should concern every golf club in the country and we’re already seeing the fallout beginning to take shape at clubs throughout Scotland.
We’ve lost clubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh while in Angus, Royal Montrose and Montrose Mercantile merged last week at Montrose Golf Links due to dwindling memberships.
Newmachar Golf Club in Aberdeenshire is also experiencing financial challenges and it’s sad to see so many clubs struggling in the current economic climate.
It’s in stark contrast to the golfing tourism industry which still appears to be in rude health.
It’s one area of the game where the strength of the dollar and euro against the pound has made Scotland a popular destination for the elite golfers.
Places like Kingsbarns, St Andrews and the
Trump courses are attracting visitors who are willing to part with their money to play at exclusive venues.
It is why Trump International Links near Balmedie is planning a second course and also why work is set to begin on the long-mooted Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Ury Estate in Stonehaven.
The stereotypical rich American who is willing to travel and pay £1,000 for a fourball with his pals continues to prop up the industry but it’s no surprise as Scotland is the home of golf after all. However, it’s become apparent that the club golfer does not have the
“In stark contrast to the golfing tourism industry which appears to be in rude health”
disposable income or the free time at the moment to devote to playing regularly or joining their local club.
It’s sad to see and I believe the only way we can stop the bleeding is by targeting youngsters.
Perhaps clubs should bite the bullet and offer free junior memberships and host as many flag events as they can to entice the youth of today to take up the game and hopefully reap the rewards in the future.
I know this much – it is going to take a unified effort across the country if we are to stop this worrying trend from becoming a crisis.