A RECENT survey suggested that elitism is still a major factor in British golf clubs.

Bolton has its fair share of golf clubs attracting players from every strata of society. The Bolton Golf Association has 13 member clubs while there is also a growing number of others in the area that cater for players either as members or on a non-membership basis. BEN golf writer DAVID MAGILTON looks at the current situation of golf clubs in and around Bolton and hears the views of local golfers and officials.

Elitism charge is blown off course

LOCAL golfers have dismissed as "rubbish" an on-line survey which says elitism is still rampant on UK greens.

A report by internet provider 'ifyougolf' says that more than half of those golfers surveyed believed elitism was the worst problem in UK golf clubs, with many players angry at the snobbery they face from clubhouse cliques.

'Ifyougolf' site manager Tom Corcoran said: "Our report is shocking. Young players such as Tiger Woods have done a great deal to help golf shed its stuffy image and broaden its appeal. Yet it seems a few rotten apples in the barrel are still spoiling it for everyone else."

But Bolton Golf Association secretary elect Glynn Evans dismissed the report's findings saying: "Certainly at my club Breightmet there is no elitism. What does happen at clubs is that power struggles develop, but this is due more to cronyism rather than elitism. This applies in any kind of club, not just golf.

"At Breightmet we have just two kind of members and ladies are full members - more and more are going that way. The barriers that used to be there have been broken down. I think if there is any elitism it will be found at the more prestigious clubs, perhaps the ones nearer to the heart of the administration rather than the run-of-the-mill clubs."

Bolton Golf Club is probably the most exclusive in the area but Evans says his experiences with them have been far from negative.

"You could say they are elitist yet I have not found anything like that. They have been very welcoming," he added. "What they do is have their traditions and rules and stick to them while other clubs are perhaps a little more liberal on what they allow within the club and with their members."

Lancashire Junior Chairman Mike Yates agreed adding: "The report is a load of rubbish.

"The only thing I think is that when you get juniors going into club they are faced with a problem. They get so much leeway at home and at school but have to conform to dress rules they have never known before. Sometimes they can't get their heads round it.

"For a man of my era a collar and tie is something we readily accept but nowadays this has been relaxed in many clubs because they are short of members and have to adapt. Clubs are nowhere near as elite as they used to be."

Three times BGA champion Billy Bromilow, who has recently been promoted to the Lancashire Executive said: "Every club has got cliques. There is nothing untoward going on, it is just that you feel comfortable with your group of people. You associate with people you are familiar with but not because you dislike the others.

"Years ago golf had the reputation of being a bit stuck up but these days there are new organisations trying to get golf going from the grass roots and things have changed dramatically. There are cliques in golf clubs but there are cliques in every kind of club."

Do you agree?

Write to David Magilton at BEN Sports Desk, Newspaper house, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE or Fax 010204 528304 or email: dmagilton@boltoneveningnews.co.uk