MSP cautions on over-provision of golf courses

The Courier, 6 August 2003

Care will have to be taken to ensure that the “traditional mix” of attractions for St Andrews is not skewed by over-provision of golf courses.

The point was made yesterday by MSP Ted Brocklebank in the wake of concern expressed over a number of issues by the general manager of one of the area’s major hotel and resort complexes.

Debate has been stimulated in the town by the plans from St Andrews Links Trust for a seventh public golf course which would be built on land at Kinkell Braes.

Mr Brocklebank said yesterday that he had attended a presentation on the issue, and while he broadly welcomed the proposals he felt that there were also dangers in “unlimited expansion.”

He was speaking in response to reservations expressed by the general manager of the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, Jonathan Stapleton, who has asked Fife Council to seek an economic impact study as part of the planning process.

Mr Stapleton also expressed doubt over whether the timing for a new course was right in view of a drop in visitor numbers.

The MSP, who lives in the town, said he was satisfied that there is proven need for another golf course in St Andrews.

“You cannot argue with the figures and according to the Links Trust there is a waiting list in all categories for golfers wishing to purchase season tickets to play on local courses”

Of the choice of Kinkell. Braes, which will not be a typical links course, he said that he was confident that the proposed new course would add to the attraction of St Andrews as the international home of golf.

With other private golfing developments in the pipeline, however, he warned against an over-proliferation of golf courses around the town.

“Common sense suggests that even St Andrews, the world’s golfing Mecca, must be vigilant about the possible over-provision of golf courses at a time when courses elsewhere in the UK are going to the wall.

“We should also be careful not to skew the town’s traditional mix of attractions for tourists.

“Mr Stapleton is right in drawing attention to the ever competitive worldwide market’ for golf, and St Andrews should never forget it has many other tourist attractions in addition to golf.” he said.