Smail gives chase as Gow fails to maintain hot pace

Phil Casey, The Independent, 27 January 2001

The Scottish Golf Union has revealed debts of £1m the same week it announced its biggest sponsorship deal – a five-year, £220,000 package with the oil company BP.

Investment in the Drumoig-based Scottish National Golf Centre has been blamed for the debt. The centre made a loss of £200,000 in its first year of operation and SGU members voiced concerns at last weekend's annual general meeting.

Doubts remain about the centre's ability to generate a profit, and many feel it would be more financially viable if located in the central belt of Scotland. Even new president John Clark said: "I don't think the SNGC will ever make money."