Young golfer enjoys Golf It! facilities. (Photo by The R&A)
ST ANDREWS, Scotland — The R&A has appointed Northwind Leisure Golf as its operating partner for Golf It!, aiming to build on the Glasgow-based community facility’s initial three years of operation.
Under the agreement, The R&A retains full ownership of Golf It! while overseeing Northwind Leisure Golf’s management of day-to-day operations. The facility will maintain the Golf It! brand name, and Alyson McKechin will continue leading the local staff team.
Since opening in 2023 in northeast Glasgow, Golf It! has focused on increasing access to the sport and serving the local community. Key milestones highlighted by The R&A include:
The venue also hosts regular women's and girls' programs, disability golf activities, and a greenkeeping apprenticeship pathway. Community, schools, and disability initiatives will continue to receive support through The R&A Foundation.
By bringing in a commercial leisure operator, The R&A aims to focus on the project's long-term social impact and its role as a model for global golf development.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, highlighted the facility's success and strategic direction:
“We are thrilled with the progress that has been made at Golf It! since it opened in 2023. It has become such an important model for us in demonstrating how an inclusive, community-focused golf facility can introduce more people to the game, support healthier and more active lifestyles, and provide practical insight for national federations and other R&A partners around the world.
“Our new strategy sets out clear objectives for how The R&A can help to bring more people into the sport and that’s where we have to focus our efforts. By partnering with Northwind we can rely on an experienced golf leisure operator to work with Alyson and the Golf It! team on day to day operations and helping it to progress as a business.”
Northwind Leisure Golf Ltd trades as Great Western Golf, which manages a multi-sport site in Clydebank incorporating golf, football, padel tennis, physiotherapy, and café operations. In addition, Northwind owns and operates four Soccerworld sites and 43 Goals football centers across the UK.
Barry McDermott, Managing Director of Northwind Leisure Golf, stated:
“We are delighted to be partnering with The R&A on Golf It! and are looking forward to working with Alyson and the team as we help the business to develop and cement its position as one of the UK’s leading community golf facilities.”
