Double departure at Scottish Golf

Salmon and Paulding step down from their roles with governing body

By Michael McEwan

Major changes are afoot at Scottish Golf following the sudden departures of the organisation’s deputy chief executive Andy Salmon and performance director Steve Paulding.

Paulding left to take up a new position with British Athletics, whilst Salmon left by mutual agreement with the Scottish Golf board. The duo are the second and third high-profile departures from the national governing body within the space of eight months, following chief executive Hamish Grey’s departure in March.

"To be tasked with developing the sport I love at the home of golf was both a huge privilege and an enormous responsibility,” said Salmon in a statement. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Scottish Golf and look back on my time with great pride. I have been very fortunate to work with many dedicated people, volunteer and executive, throughout this time and have made many friends.

"However, nothing lasts forever and as the new organisation strives to take the sport to the next stage, it is timely for me to seek a new challenge. I wish the Board, CEO and staff every success in the future."

Eleanor Cannon, chair of Scottish Golf, said: "Andy leaves Scottish Golf with our thanks for a significant contribution to the game in Scotland over a number of years and with our best wishes for the future."

Paulding, meanwhile, stepped down after seven years with Scottish Golf. In a statement, Scottish Golf acknowledged the ‘significant changes’ he had made ‘in the way Scottish Golf supports and develops aspiring male and female golfers’.

VICTORIOUS

During his tenure, Paulding helped guide Scotland to back-to-back European Men's Amateur Team titles in 2015 and 2016 for the first time in 39 years. A record eight male Scots also reached the top 100 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings last year, with Grant Forrest, Ewen Ferguson and Jack McDonald playing their part in the GB&I Walker Cup victory in 2015. Paulding has also seen three Scots reach the Amateur Championship final in the last three years, with Bradley Neil victorious in 2014, and Connor Syme and Craig Ross winning the Australia and South African Amateur titles this year.

“I’ve enjoyed my time with Scottish Golf and we’ve achieved some great results that I’m very proud of,” said Paulding. “Most people are only interested in those results but the systems and processes needed to consistently identify and produce players who can compete on the world amateur stage has been my focus.

“While there remain challenges ahead, I’m encouraged by the progress we have made in the female amateur ranks since we became an amalgamated body a year ago.”

National coach Ian Rae, performance development manager Stuart Clayton and the former Ladies European Tour professional Clare Queen, the programme co-ordinator, will take responsibility for the performance programme.

Blane Dodds, the chief executive of Scottish Golf, said: “I would like to thank Steve for all his hard work leading the performance team over the past seven years.

“Scottish Golf is in a stronger place thanks to his endeavours and we wish him well in his new challenge with British Athletics.”

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