Aristocrat handicapped by empty fairways at new £1.5m course

Duke's dream in the rough as golfers stay away from greens

William Chisholm, The Scotsman, 20 February 1998

It was an aristocrat’s very own field of dreams, a rich man’s playground set among 60,000 acres of the Duke of Roxburghe’s Borders estate.

Launched last year by the golf stars Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie, the Roxburghe was heralded as a championship-standard course to rival Carnoustie or Muirfleld.

But today, what just a few months ago was being heralded as a “mini-Gleneagles” lies almost forgotten, despite the best efforts of Faldo and Montgomery.

The pair interrupted hectic schedules on the professional tour to play a televised exhibition match over the par 72 Roxburghe course by the banks of the River Teviot a few miles from Kelso.

The duke’s £1.5 million pet project even received a Royal seal of approval when his good friend Prince Andrew accepted an invitation to partner Faldo in a four-ball challenge match for charity. When the former Open champion set a course record 67 and delighted a 2,000-strong gallery it seemed like the perfect launch for a facility described by Montgomerie, Europe’s leading golfer, as quite outstanding.

But throughout the winter months since the media spotlight shifted away from the 7,111-yard course at Sunlaws the duke, a talented six-handicapper, has been wondering why hardly anyone has been coming to enjoy what is by far the best golf course within a 70-mile radius.

After all the Roxburghe was designed by Dave Thomas, probably the world’s leading golf course architect.

And the 200-acre site’s top-of-the-range drainage system means it can be chucking it down all morning yet the fairways and greens are practically dry an hour or two later.

The duke confessed yesterday he was amazed that so few golfers had taken the opportunity to pay and play his course, where members pay an annual subscription of £550.

Even before he developed a passion for golf, Guy David Innes-Ker, tenth Duke of Roxburghe, had a formidable sporting pedigree. He is particularly keen on cricket and also enjoys fishing, shooting, horse racing, and skiing.

He said: “I played the course on Sunday, it is in fantastic condition and a treat to play. So why is no-one playing? This winter has offered the best possible weather conditions - warm and windy and the course has only been closed for play for three days while the main greens have been in use at all times.”

The assistant professional Dean Nelson had expected between 40 and 60 golfers a day at the course. But on some days he is lucky to see a dozen players.

“The green fees (£2O midweek and £28 weekends) are quite reasonable and are no higher than you would expect to pay on any other course of this standard”, he told The Scotsman.

“We have had visitors from the United States, Asia, and from all over Europe and they rave about the place even though its only been open for a relatively short time.”

However, the club champion, Ian Ford, revealed he and a number of friends are giving up their membership In protest at a 20 per cent increase in fees.

Mr Ford, from Kelso, said his subscription fees for five day membership were increased from £295 to £350, and that full membership fees had been raised from £465 to £550. The joining fee for five-day membership has been raised from £295 to £350, and for full membership from £465 to £550.

He said: “I think the duke has just over-priced the course for the area and he is not getting a hard core of members.

“Usually fees go up by about 3 per cent or the rate of inflation, but 20 per cent is just too much.

“The course is absolutely fantastic and I am disappointed to be leaving because I absolutely doted on it when it opened. I know other people who are continuing their membership for one more year because they have paid so much as a joining fee.”

Another explanation comes from John Huggan, a freelance writer who contributes to the American Golf World magazine. He said: “Its a very good golf course, but it is in the middle of the Borders and it is very hard to get to.”

The course stands alongside the £100-a-night plus Sunlaws House hotel. The plush establishment which boasts five crowns and a commended rating in tour guides is one of the duke’s successful business ventures.

He also ensures the vast estate runs smoothly while his stately home, Floors, the largest inhabited house in Scotland, attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Bewildered by the indifference which has left the Roxburghe fairways empty, the duke hopes he now has the answer, although it could cost him several thousand pounds.

During March any golfer paying the full green fee will have his or her name entered in a prize draw with the opportunity to win a year’s free golf on the Roxburghe.

Barbara Huddart, director of sales at the course, said: “The lack of winter golfers does not pose financial problems for the Roxburghe because under normal weather conditions we would not want too many people coming to play.

“But when the course is in such perfect condition the duke wants to see people enjoying the beautiful countryside.”