Leeds sports media company acquires golf titles

MEDIA company Sports Publications, based in Leeds, has acquired magazine title Golf International just in time for the Open Championship at St Andrews.

Sports Publications, who also own Nation Club Golfer, have added Gi to their portfolio for an undisclosed sum.

Four issues of the magazine will be published this year, with a return to a full schedule of eight next year.

Brothers Richard and Peter Simmons will continue to edit and remain in charge of day-to-day commercial activity at the Cornwall-based publication.

Tom Irwin of Sports Publications said: “With so much quality free content available in print and online, asking the golf consumer to pay for content has become increasingly difficult as demonstrated by the declining ABC figures of all the newsstand titles.

“As the new publisher, we will explore new routes to market, utilise innovative purchase incentives and… exploit our existing, unrivalled access to the UK’s golfers.”

Richard Simmons, editor of Golf International said: “After several months searching for a publishing partner we are delighted to have reached an agreement with Sports Publications, one that we believe will give Gi every chance of securing its future.”