New chair appointment is a “real coup” for golf

Mr Gilbert’s appointment was this week announced by the Scottish Golf board with the well known business figure stepping into the role officially next year.

A supporter of golf in Scotland for over 20 years, Mr Gilbert will be presented as chair-elect at the AGM in March 2021, when Eleanor Cannon will step down after a six-year term as chair.

The new chair’s links with Scotish golf were forged firstly through Aberdeen Asset Management and latterly Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Via his businesses he has also sponsored leading Scottish golfers including Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie, Women’s Open Championship winner Catriona Matthew and recent European Tour winner, Robert MacIntyre.

Mr Gilbert said: “As many people know, golf has been a lifelong passion of mine and I’m hugely excited to be taking up this role in the Home of Golf.

“I commend Eleanor and her team for their sterling leadership of the new, amalgamated body since its inception in 2015.

“The strategic direction that has been adopted by Scottish Golf is bold and exciting.

“I am very much looking forward to progressing this strategy and working closely with the board, the team and the membership in continuing to develop the game at all levels in Scotland.”

Out-going chair Eleanor Cannon said the appointment of Mr Gilbert was a massive boost for governing body and believes her replacement will help Scottish Golf to “flourish”.

She said: “This is a tremendous coup for golf in Scotland and the entire board is delighted that Martin, whose passion and support for the sport are very widely known, has agreed to take on this role next year.

“His achievements, both in business globally and in his role as the biggest supporter of Scottish Golf over the past two decades, speak for themselves and I am sure his dynamic approach will allow Scottish Golf to flourish.

“I am extremely pleased that our members and our sport will benefit from Martin’s guidance and undoubted love for golf in the years ahead.