International Management Group

June 2002

Dear Kingsbarns Resident

dunhill Links Championship 2002 - The Old Course, Kingsbarns Golf Links, Carnoustie

As you are aware from recent newspaper articles we have supported an application made by Kingsbarns Golf Links to close the Coastal Footpath, where it runs through the golf course, for the duration of the 2002 dunhill Links Championship.

The application was made on two grounds. Firstly, it was felt that from a health and safety perspective anyone walking along the Coastal Footpath during the Tournament would be in danger from wayward golf balls. Secondly, for sound security reasons we believe we were putting the event at risk by leaving the course open for general access.

As you will no doubt be aware, Fife Council has now declined the application on the grounds of a) insufficient justification and b) a viable alternative route not being provided. As event organisers, on behalf of Alfred Dunhill, we are ultimately responsible for all health and safety and security issues at the Tournament and it would have been negligent of us to have ignored our own concerns and those of our health and safety consultants, which simply put was that for the well being of the local community the footpath should be closed.

However, we will now endeavour to address these concerns whilst ensuring access is maintained along the route of the Coastal Footpath. We do ask however that for you and your family’s own safety, which is one of our primary concerns, that you take the utmost care when using the footpath during the tournament.

As agreed with the police and the local authorities Back Stile will be closed to vehicles from the point that it enters the golf course ** to the beach car park from 30th September to 5th October, inclusive. In addition, for the safety of local residents, Fife Constabulary will be placing ‘No Parking’ cones along Main Street from 3rd to 5th October inclusive - off street parking will be unaffected, and temporary parking outside the village Post Office will still be permitted.

The 2002 dunhill Links Championship takes place from 3rd to 6th October over The Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie; once again we would like to invite members of the Kingsbarns Community to attend and join in the excitement of the Tournament, which will feature not only the best European golfers, but many celebrities from other sports, films and television. Consequently, we will be distributing two entry tickets to each household in the month prior to the event.

We look forward to seeing you in October.

Yours faithfully

ROSS HALLETT

On behalf of the dunhill Links Championship

cc: Chris Smith - Fife Council, Insp. Craig Dewar - Fife Constabulary, Stuart McEwen - Kingsbarns Golf Links, Claire Wright - Kingsbarns Community Council, Peter Douglas - Councillor, Willie Dunbar - Halcrow

The main points have been emphasised, for clarity

** At no point does the beach road actually "enter the golf course", as claimed. There is only one approved access to the golf course, half a mile to the south east of the village. The only point where the public road to the beach actually confronts the golf course is at a newly constructed 'crossing point' which links the north and south sections of the golf course, near the public car park.

The Community Council, in a letter to planning officials, "do not feel that it is necessary to close this road at all" during the event. Certainly, it should be possible for reasonable, professional, event organisers to provide secure golf course entry at the crossing point whilst maintaining normal vehicle access to the beach. This is, after all, the only vehicular access to this popular public beach.