Call for impact study of plan for new golf course

The Courier, 6 January 2004

The Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board wants to see an independent economic assessment of the likely impact of a seventh public golf course for St Andrews before any planning consent is granted for the venture.

This has been stressed the chief of the board, Patrick Laughlin, in the wake of recent meetings involving board representatives, local businesses, and St Andrews Links Trust.

Although Mr Laughlin has made it clear that relations between some local businesses and the trust have become a “good -deal more cordial” in recent weeks, he also said that genuine concerns had been expressed by some golf tourism related businesses.

He said that the board was supportive in principle of the proposal, but directors wished to see an independent view of the likely economic impact of a new course in the area.

Debate has been going on in both the local and national Press, and in the golf Press, about the trust’s wish to create the extra course on land to the south-east of the town.

Views being expressed range from the suggestion that St Andrews is becoming a giant golfing “theme park” to the firm belief of the Links Trust that the new course is essential to meet the demands of local players and ease pressure on the existing courses.

With overseas visitor levels still to recover to previous levels, and with some private courses in the area still underplayed, however, calls for an independent assessment have already come from some sections of the business community.

These include the biggest hotel operator in the town itself, and some members of the local hotel and guest houses association.

Backing from the area tourist board adds powerfully to the case being put forward, and yesterday Mr Laughlin said that the move to request such an assessment had been agreed at a recent board meeting.

He said that it was hoped that such a study - which would have to be an independent one - would show that the impact on St Andrews would be favourable and any local fears would be put to rest.

Some members of the board have already questioned the “commerciality” of the proposed development, particularly the clubhouse operations.

A previous board minute makes it clear that during discussion the view had been expressed that the trust’s operation had been perceived by businesses as increasingly competitive” and not necessarily always in the best interests of St Andrews.

Mr Laughlin said that these and other issues had been discussed at very helpful meetings involving the Links Trust and local business men, and that as a result some matters might be addressed and relations were now more cordial.

The chief executive made it clear that the tourist board acknowledged the “widespread pressures” being placed on the St Andrews courses because of high visitor demand, the high economic value of golf to St Andrews and Fife, and the potential for a marked increase in this area through provision of better access to courses and more effective promotion of the St Andrews golf product.