Unification of the Cheshire Union and the Cheshire County Ladies Golf Association
Monday the 23rd. of September 2024 was a historic day for amateur golf in Cheshire. After operating for over 100 years as separate organisations, the Cheshire County Ladies Golf Association and the Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs made the decision to unify and form Cheshire Golf Ltd.
The day started with an Extraordinary General Meeting of the CCLGA Ltd. at Sandiway Golf Club when the decision was taken by the Clubs who attended or appointed a proxy, to unify with the CUGC Ltd.
In the afternoon at the same venue, the CUGC Ltd. held an Extraordinary General Meeting at which the decision to unify was confirmed. Of the Clubs who wished to express their opinion, 97.5% voted in favour and one Club chose to abstain. There were no votes against the proposal.
With immediate effect, a new Chair and Board of Directors took over the running of the new company. Follow “About Us” and “County Officials & Committee” for more information.
This is the culmination of 18 months of work by three ladies and three men who made up the Unification Team. In July, full details were sent out to the Clubs inviting them to attend the Extraordinary General Meetings or to appoint a proxy, and this included a presentation on unification, new articles of association and new rules.
The new Chair, Cleveland McCurdy, stated, “Our mission is to encourage our affiliated members to promote and grow the game of golf in the county of Cheshire in a safe and friendly environment, welcoming everyone, irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity. To represent and support the Clubs in introducing and providing a broad range of competitive golf for their members, whatever their level of ability”.
With a highly enthusiastic board of directors supported by numerous committed volunteers, Cheshire Golf is perfectly placed to support its 93 affiliated clubs in encouraging the growth and sustainability of the game across the county.
Unification Mission Statement, Benefits and Terms of Reference
Our objective is to create an equal, diverse and inclusive environment for the future of golf in the county of Cheshire.
Our aim to demonstrate success will depend on the strategies concentrating on four fundamental aspects:
Perception Shift
Need to directly address how golf and its administration is perceived by both current players and aspiring/interested/potential participants. Increase diversity of imagery around our clubs.
Behaviour Change
Stimulate a cultural shift which creates an open and welcoming environment where everyone feels included and are then able to achieve their potential.
Experience Outcome Change
Celebrate any achievement no matter how small and ensure that it is applauded, thus encouraging and making participants feel cherished, welcomed and included.
Support Development in clubs for Ambassadors/Beacons and Mentoring.
Reality Adjustments
Continually reflect on our overall development and seek to progress our ED&I commitment. Increase visibility of diversity in staffing, volunteers, and participant
Background
In 2011 England Golf was formed to represent all golfers within the home nation and in 2017 the R&A and the Ladies Golf Union merged.
E.G., said” England Golf will speak with one voice and send out the powerful, modern message that golf is a game for all – for men and women, boys and girls”.
Currently there are two separate organisations responsible for representing club golfers within Cheshire. A unified organisation, which promotes the game to all, will be more attractive to new golfers, will help to grow the game, competitions and events with accessibility for golfers of all levels and abilities. It is anticipated that a unified organisation will be more appealing to commercial partners and sponsors and will mean we can be more cost effective.
Cheshire will be one of the larger counties, leading the way in unifying and envisages several benefits including streamlining the administration and the production and implementation of a coordinated plan for golf and player development in the County. Importantly, there will be one organisation representing golf clubs in Cheshire and their members at both county and national level.
Objectives
To work collaboratively with Union and Association representatives to determine one unified voice for amateur golf in the County. One single, common purpose and vision with one strategy for developing and promoting golf in the County.
- Enhanced efficiency and better use of funds, facilities, and equipment for both organisations, e.g., less duplication, sharing of computers and software, sponsorship, documents/policies, staff and offices.
- A wider pool of volunteers to help with all aspects of golf in the County.
- An enhanced effectiveness when providing a service to Clubs i.e., listening to and supporting Cheshire clubs and their golfers through increased, more targeted and high-quality communication through social media; streamlining the delegates system, one point of contact for Junior Organisers and direct contact with members generally.
- A more all-round perception of what our members and their golf clubs need and want, resulting in increased participation in County competitions and events with accessibility for golfers of all levels and abilities.
- The new organisation would be totally committed to the principles and practice of equality, diversity and inclusivity across all of its work with key partners and will advocate policies that make every effort to ensure that all participation has equity at its core.
- A consolidated and combined approach to attracting young people into golf by, for example, recruitment into joint academies, better communication with Club Professionals and Junior Organisers, etc, creating a more defined and progressive junior pathway.
- A number county-wide activities are already undertaken jointly between CUGC and CCLGA Course Rating, refereeing and junior and mixed competitions etc, and Unification will give one forum and direction for these ventures.
Term
This Term of Reference is effective from April 2023 and shall continue throughout 2023. Any recommendations and actions, subject to approval Union and Association Board, would be targeted for an implementation date of 2024/2025.
Membership
6 representatives, 3 from each organisation.
Roles and Responsibilities
To present thoughts, views and representation on the objectives outlined above.
Provide knowledge on the current Union and association, structure, management and organisation.
Identify opportunities.
Maintain anonymity of any views gained from within the two organisations unless otherwise agreed.
Meetings
All meetings to be chaired either by Jackie Hesketh or Cleve McCurdy
Regular group meetings (virtual or face to face) as required.
Further engagement either via emails or calls as required.
Outcome
To propose outcomes and recommendations to the respective boards that are in the best interests for men’s and women’s golf within the county and are in line with the values contained within the England Golf E.D.& I. policies.
To advise the respective boards on the processes required to achieve Unification.
To draw up, in conjunction with legal advisors, a new set of Articles for Cheshire Golf.
Unification will facilitate a single voice for golf in one of the largest counties in the country.
One single common purpose and vision with one strategy for golf in the County. We will not have two organisations approaching the same clubs to host events.
We will have one combined body to represent the views of our affiliated clubs at regional, national and England Golf meetings.
We can focus on our junior golfer and academy programmes with a view to encouraging more youngsters to take up the game and become the future golf club members.
As a unified force, we will be more attractive to sponsors who want only to look at organisations with a positive equality, diversity and inclusion commitment.
Additionally:
- there will be employed office staff which will take away some of the administrative burden presently placed upon volunteers.
- Availability of up-to-date computer system/software for the running of competitions and the delivery of results through to the CDH and the WHS
- There will be a greater pool of volunteers for our events – especially at the junior level where we need larger numbers on the course for safeguarding purposes. We will be better able to interact with clubs on behalf of all golfers at that club.
- There will be a sub-committee of Championships and Competitions comprised solely of ladies to set up and run these events as they do now, but the unified Cheshire Golf staff will be available to assist as required.
- There will be a sub-committee of Championships and Competitions comprised solely of men to set up and run these events as they do now, but the unified Cheshire Golf staff will be available to assist as required.
- The Articles of Association will prescribe that it is the intention at least one third of the board must be male and at least one third of the board must be female.
- In addition, the Rules will require mixed representation on committees and subcommittees where appropriate.
- Other joint activities are already undertaken such as Safeguarding, Course Rating, Refereeing and Junior recruitment/competitions etc. Unification will facilitate many more joint ventures.