A golf club has been ordered to pay #12,000 in compensation to its club-master, who was sacked because members were not satisfied by the catering services provided by his wife.

In its written findings, an industrial tribunal in Glasgow said Mr Ronald Boyd, 49, bore no responsibility for his wife's actions, and ruled he was unfairly dismissed by Irvine Ravenspark Golf Club in Ayrshire.

The tribunal heard Mr Boyd was taken on as clubhouse steward, with responsibility for the running of the bar and for cleaning the clubhouse.

His wife, who was not an employee, would provide food, using the club's kitchen equipment but providing the food herself and keeping any profit.

Things went well at first but after three years rumblings of discontent started. Some members were unhappy with the arrangements.

Members continued to complain that food wasn't available as it ought to have been and on one occasion pies were served at an inter club game, which was considered unacceptable.

There were also complaints that the standard of cleanliness wasn't satisfactory.

Mr Boyd was issued with a final warning over further complaints about the cleaning and catering arrangements at the clubhouse. Three months later the committee concluded there had been no improvement and dismissed him.

Mr Boyd suggested there was a faction in the club which wanted rid of him.

The tribunal found there was nothing said when Mr Boyd was taken on to indicate he was considered responsible for the club's catering. The club wanted someone to run the bar and clubhouse, and someone to do the catering. His wife was to work in the kitchen but got no pay from the golf club, and was only allowed to keep any profit from catering.

In its findings, the tribunal said that its conclusion, that Mr Boyd bore no responsibility for the actions of his wife, was fatal to the golf club's position. Mr Boyd was not employed to supervise or be responsible for his wife.

The tribunal added that Mr Boyd couldn't be accused of misconduct because he didn't fail to do anything which it was incumbent upon him to do.

Further, Mr Boyd wasn't given an opportunity to defend himself before being dismissed.

The tribunal ruled Mr Boyd, of Annick Road, Irvine, was unfairly dismissed, but found he was 10% to blame as he could have discussed the matter with other committee members, with whom he was friendly, when it became clear he was being held responsible for his wife's failures.

The tribunal was also satisfied he failed to carry out his cleaning duties to a satisfactory standard.

His compensation was reduced by 10% to #12,007.