The Pitch: How the R&A is driving a wedge through Irish golf industry

One question which regularly pops up is how much the independent golfer programme will impact clubs financially. This is a figure neither Golf Ireland or The R&A can stand over.

Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A talks to the media during a press conference prior to The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon. Picture: by Harry How/Getty Images

An extraordinary letter from the R&A in Scotland to Golf Ireland, effectively ordering the governing body here to implement the controversial ‘independent golfer scheme’, has emerged.

The communication from R&A CEO Martin Slumbers — which was shared with The Pitch by some of the most influential golf business and club figures in the country — not only undermines the authorities here, but lays out exactly who is running Irish golf.