Scottish Golf has appointed Tennis Scotland’s current chairman Blane Dodds as their new chief executive.
The 49-year-old Scot has a strong and varied background in sports administration in both the public and private sectors, and will start his new role in August 15. He succeeds Hamish Grey, chief executive to the new merged body and previously the Scottish Golf Union for 18 years until he stood down earlier this year.
Dodds is a former Scottish international tennis player and has held various senior roles in sports management, marketing, the health and fitness industry and with charitable trusts.
Eleanor Cannon, chair of Scottish Golf, said: “We are delighted to have attracted somebody of Blane’s talent and experience to Scottish Golf.
“The board was excited at the vision and ambition articulated by Blane during the recruitment process and look forward to working with him and the team to better support our clubs and encourage more people into the game.”
Current chair of Tennis Scotland, Dodds is also UK president of the European Capital of Sport Association and plays golf off a handicap of seven at Kilmacolm Golf Club in Renfrewshire.
Most recently he was CEO of North Lanarkshire Lesiure, with what Scottish Golf call as “a proven track record of delivering increased participation, combined with experience of transformational change”.
“Being asked to lead the governing body of amateur golf in Scotland is a great honour and I look forward to going round the country to better understand the challenges faced by clubs and golfers,” said the new man.
“I want to ensure this great game continues to be at the heart of communities across Scotland and will work hard to build the partnerships needed to achieve that, putting down strong foundations for future generations of golfers.”
