ELGA members approve vital rise in subscriptions
22 March 2006

ELGA members approve vital rise in subscriptions

ELGA members gave the association a vote of confidence when they approved a vital increase in subscriptions at an extraordinary general meeting at Edgbaston Golf Club on Tuesday, March 21.

Cheers rang round the room when it was announced that the Yes vote had carried the day. The approval for the two resolutions will bring in additional income which is crucial to the future of ELGA.

The result means the annual ELGA subscription will rise by £1.50 to £7.50 with effect from 1 January 2007, this will bring the total amount payable to ELGA and the LGU to £10.00. This was approved by 491 votes to 222, a majority of 68.9 per cent.

In addition, the subscription will be increased annually by the rate of inflation, to the nearest 5p. Golf clubs will be advised in February each year of the increase to take effect the following January. This was approved by 481 votes to 220, a majority of 68.6 per cent.

ELGA chairman Ros Weston said afterwards: “This is a fantastic result. This increase is absolutely crucial for ELGA and it means we can go ahead with our plans for the future, which include the modernisation of the association.”

Pauline Perla , the association’s chief executive, added: “I see this as a vote of confidence in our plans to move forward.”

This was the third time the association had put these proposals to members and accountant Mike Hall spelled out in stark terms why approval was necessary.

Without it ELGA would be “struggling to pay the bills by 2007/08 and by 2008/09 would run out of money.”

ELGA currently receives £799,000 pa from membership subscriptions and other income which is spent on tournaments, golf development, the website, events for club members, handicapping, volunteer and staff training, marketing, representation to other governing bodies, administration – and more.

The association additionally receives a grant from Sport England, estimated this year at £659,000. This funding is handled separately from subscription income and supports the training of players in the ELGA squads, personal athlete awards and the administration of this work.

Mr Hall outlined the reasons behind ELGA’s need for more subscription income. Among these was the news that the association has been given notice to leave its offices at Edgbaston Golf Club because the owners wish to redevelop the building. There are only between six and 12 months remaining on the lease.

In addition, ELGA has operated at a deficit for the last two years and is budgeting for a loss again this year. “This is an unacceptable position to continue,” said Mr Hall.

The executive committee wishes to continue its programme of work, which will be further shaped by the modernisation review currently being carried out. Recent progress has included extending the championship rota to include seniors events and introducing on-line tournament entries and payments on the ELGA website. There are also plans to provide live scoring at championships. Investment is needed to grow the game of golf and to help golf clubs attract more members.

Earlier Pauline Perla outlined for members how ELGA had progressed since 1999, increasing its activities and recruiting staff to support this work. This included the establishment of a development team and a training department, the launch of the website, increased marketing to raise the profile of the association and the introduction of an IT system. ELGA, she commented, commanded great respect among golf’s other governing bodies.

“If you want the association to continue to grow you must support the increase,” she said.