[Joe Andriole]

https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/american-businessman-in-shock-bid-to-take-over-golspie-golf-334845/?utm_medium=arjfyrggref

[Niall C]

Joe


No need to start a new thread with this. You could simply have posted on the "Golf in Scotland is sinking fast" thread that was about not so long ago.


Niall

[David_Tepper]

On the subject of "sinking," perhaps the biggest problem facing Golspie GC (and many other golf courses in Scotland) is coastal erosion. Even the town of Golspie itself is at risk.

A recent study suggests spending 5 million pounds to build a barrier to protect the town. That barrier would not protect the course.
 
As far as the club & the course are concerned, I think this year both have been in the best shape they have been in the 20+ years I have been a member (aside from the risk of further coastal erosion). 
 

[Garland Bayley]

On the subject of "sinking," perhaps the biggest problem facing Golspie GC (and many other golf courses in Scotland) is coastal erosion. Even the town of Golspie itself is at risk.

A recent study suggests spending 5 million pounds to build a barrier to protect the town. That barrier would not protect the course.
 
As far as the club & the course are concerned, I think this year both have been in the best shape they have been in the 20+ years I have been a member (aside from the risk of further coastal erosion).

"he is an 80-year-old who has made his fortune through his ownership of food manufacturing companies.

A frequent visitor to the north of Scotland with his wife, he is a member of the Royal Dornoch Golf Club and Skibo Golf Club."

OK David, you can spill the beans, who is it?

[Chris Hughes]

 "Meanwhile one member who has contacted the Northern Times said: “There is absolutely no chance of this going through unless there is a complete change of direction. Talk of a buy-out is making it unpalatable for 99.9 per cent of the members.

If this gentleman wants to support Golspie and be a partner with the club and the community, that would be welcome. For example, if he wanted to help build a new clubhouse, raise the standard of the course even further, provide better practice facilities, employ more greenkeeping staff and hold more community engagement, then that would all be welcome.

Looking for control as a starting point is bound to fail.”

Now that is FUNNY!

[Ally Mcintosh]

Full takeover was thrown out last night I believe.

[Steve Wilson]

In my email this morning from the Club Secretary:


Good morning,

In view of the level of interest in last night’s meeting, I write to advise members of the outcome.

Following a briefing from the Captain on a Proposal for Purchase from Mr & Mrs J Masterson, there was a lengthy discussion on the item of business.

Subsequently, the meeting agreed nem con to the following motion:
‘The meeting authorises the Council of Management to hold further discussions with the interested party but to make it clear at the outset that the control and ownership of the Club and its assets must remain with the members of the Club.  The control and ownership of the Club is not negotiable.’

Members will be advised of any further developments in due course.

[Tommy Williamsen]

In my email this morning from the Club Secretary:


Good morning,

In view of the level of interest in last night’s meeting, I write to advise members of the outcome.

Following a briefing from the Captain on a Proposal for Purchase from Mr & Mrs J Masterson, there was a lengthy discussion on the item of business.

Subsequently, the meeting agreed nem con to the following motion:
‘The meeting authorises the Council of Management to hold further discussions with the interested party but to make it clear at the outset that the control and ownership of the Club and its assets must remain with the members of the Club.  The control and ownership of the Club is not negotiable.’

Members will be advised of any further developments in due course.

That is an odd statement. If ownership and control of the club are "not negotiable," what is there to discuss?

[Bernie Bell]

In my email this morning from the Club Secretary:


Good morning,

In view of the level of interest in last night’s meeting, I write to advise members of the outcome.

Following a briefing from the Captain on a Proposal for Purchase from Mr & Mrs J Masterson, there was a lengthy discussion on the item of business.

Subsequently, the meeting agreed nem con to the following motion:
‘The meeting authorises the Council of Management to hold further discussions with the interested party but to make it clear at the outset that the control and ownership of the Club and its assets must remain with the members of the Club.  The control and ownership of the Club is not negotiable.’

Members will be advised of any further developments in due course.

That is an odd statement. If ownership and control of the club are "not negotiable," what is there to discuss?

The terms under which the club will accept this fellow's donations, I guess.  Good luck with that. 

[Kalen Braley]

In my email this morning from the Club Secretary:


Good morning,

In view of the level of interest in last night’s meeting, I write to advise members of the outcome.

Following a briefing from the Captain on a Proposal for Purchase from Mr & Mrs J Masterson, there was a lengthy discussion on the item of business.

Subsequently, the meeting agreed nem con to the following motion:
‘The meeting authorises the Council of Management to hold further discussions with the interested party but to make it clear at the outset that the control and ownership of the Club and its assets must remain with the members of the Club.  The control and ownership of the Club is not negotiable.’

Members will be advised of any further developments in due course.

That is an odd statement. If ownership and control of the club are "not negotiable," what is there to discuss?

The terms under which the club will accept this fellow's donations, I guess.  Good luck with that.

Bernie,


Hilarious.  This looks like the Golf club version of "open to the idea of a Sugar Daddy with no expectation of reciprocal 'sweets'" 

[Bernie Bell]

True, Kalen.  I don't know what I don't know about the larger issue of who owns the Highlands and under what terms.  Fascinating issue though. 

[Charlie Goerges]

"looking for a Sugar Daddy with no expectation of reciprocal 'sweets'" 

Was the club even looking? If not, it's not the club members who look bad here.

[Kalen Braley]

"looking for a Sugar Daddy with no expectation of reciprocal 'sweets'" 

Was the club even looking? If not, it's not the club members who look bad here.

Fair point Charlie,

But the memo did say they are OK with further discussion on the topic, instead of ignoring him or telling him to sod off. 

Edit:  Fixed the last statement.

[Charlie Goerges]

"looking for a Sugar Daddy with no expectation of reciprocal 'sweets'" 

Was the club even looking? If not, it's not the club members who look bad here.

Fair point Charlie,

But the memo did say they are OK with further discussion on the topic, instead of ignoring him or telling him to sod off. 

Edit:  Fixed the last statement.

Why shouldn't they be ok to talk about him spending to make some improvements if he wishes to after getting accepted as a member? I know that the wealthy rarely ever do anything without turning it into income on the backend at the very least, but it's not actually illegal for this guy to make a nicer locker room without getting any monetary benefit.

[Steve Wilson]

Perhaps they are willing to name something after him.  Some people are into that.


For instance, The Steve Wilson High Tide Protection Barrier.

[John Mayhugh]

Are some of you guys thinking the unnamed writer to the Northern Times was actually an official spokesman for the club? Are any of you members at a club where there aren't any members that are unrealistic?

I seriously doubt that Golspie's leadership was expecting a rich guy to spend a bunch of money improving the club for their benefit with nothing in return. Might further discussions be for something in the middle? Why wouldn't a club want to talk to a potential investor? That doesn't mean they are hunting a "sugar daddy."

[Tim Martin]

Although this bid doesn’t appear hostile imagine if a trend ensues and clubs are forced to insert “poison pill” language into their bylaws to thwart unfriendly suitors? It may sound cynical but almost everything has a price.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Tim, I’m not sure there can be such a thing as a hostile takeover in a private members club where the members own the club and have a vote at an EGM.


I’m completely with John - why wouldn’t a club want to talk to a potential investor about opportunities? Where I differ is that there are actually an amazing amount of stories of wealthy investors giving to GB&I links courses looking for nothing in return other than the continued improvement of the club and course. $80-100k can be a token for some successful businessmen but make the world of difference to small clubs.

[Niall C]

Firstly, I don't know that anyone looks bad here. Someone has made an unsolicited offer to buy the club, the club hierarchy decided to take it to the members to decide on, which I think was the right thing to do if the offer was a serious one, and the members decided against it. It all seems above board to me.


As to Tim's point about the members protecting their interests, it's my understanding that Golspie is a traditional members club the way that most clubs are over here, and therefore the club constitution would almost certainly stop the hierarchy selling without the members backing.


Niall

[Niall C]

Tim, I’m not sure there can be such a thing as a hostile takeover in a private members club where the members own the club and have a vote at an EGM.


I’m completely with John - why wouldn’t a club want to talk to a potential investor about opportunities? Where I differ is that there are actually an amazing amount of stories of wealthy investors giving to GB&I links courses looking for nothing in return other than the continued improvement of the club and course. $80-100k can be a token for some successful businessmen but make the world of difference to small clubs.

My post crossed with Ally's. Completely agree about the number of benefactors about. Very often it can be for an improvement or upgrade that's not really needed but a nice thing to have an at other times it can provide a lifeline. With regards to Golspie, there was a suggestion that they could do with a new clubhouse. Frankly, what they have got looks perfectly adequate to me and I'd caution them against building anything unnecessarily grand that proves more expensive to run.


Niall

[Steve Wilson]

Thank you Niall and Ally.  The notion that the club was seeking a "sugar daddy" was one that struck me as an odd take.  There is no indication the club was out looking for benefactors or to become a "friend without benefits."


Didn't the leadership of the club have a fiduciary trust in informing the membership of the offer?   


I might drop a line in the water to see if there is anything in particular brewing.


And, I know for a fact, if I am able to exit this life with sufficient assets, I will make a bequest to Golspie as I have found a second home there and would like to do what I can to assist the club in being there for the next round of peripatetic golfers who are looking for a place to light in the Highlands.

[Marty Bonnar]

Does the Club own the land the Course is on or is it on a long lease from a local landowner (Sutherland Estate, maybe)?
Cheers,
F.

[Niall C]

FBD


Yes, the club has a long lease with Duke of Sutherland. I think one of the reports referenced the bidder approaching the landlord first to presumably clear the way for a bid to the club.


Niall

[Tony_Muldoon]

As the Runner Up, Handicap Section, of this years Golspie Open I feel I have earned the right to comment.


Interesting but I wonder if it wasn't necessary to tell everyone the interested parties name? Wouldn't surprise me if they find it hard to get someone to pick up the phone.


Still I wish them luck.
I really enjoyed my return to the highlands and hope to make Golspie part of an annual retreat.

[Adrian_Stiff]

If you wanna buy a members golf club you need to earn the votes.


You need a great plan to make the course better.


You need to have free golf for the existing members for a time period. (10 years)


Then you can let them vote.

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