GOLFERS at one of Scotland’s most historic Open Championship courses have been promised that their playing rights won’t change if the venue comes under new management.
The famous Angus links has hosted golf‘s oldest major on eight occasions, the most recent occasion coming in 2018.
But the current management group fear The Open won’t be back any time soon if the facility isn’t overhauled and transformed to become more modern.
Indeed, the next two confirmed hosts of the tournament are Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland and Royal Birkdale near Liverpool.
The host for 2027 hasn’t been announced yet but The Old Course at St Andrews retains an agreement to stage The Open every five years, so barring any obstacles it will return to the Home of Golf in three years time.
Beyond that, one of the worst-kept secrets in golf is that the R&A are exploring bringing The Open to the Republic of Ireland, with Portmarnock pencilled in as a possible host for 2028.
That could leave the likes of Carnoustie on the outside looking in and the Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee (CGLMC) want to avoid that happening.
The CGLMC want to transfer control to a new body – Carnoustie Golf Heritage and Hospitality Group Limited (CGHH) – for the remainder of their contract with the council, which runs until 2033.
Chief executive Michael Wells is hoping for £100m to be spent upgrading the hotel and spa, which will in turn make it more attractive to golfers and the R&A.
Wells said earlier this year: “If Carnoustie doesn’t secure its future as an Open Championship venue, it will very slowly, over a period of time, start to lose visitors and income.
“And it reaches a tipping point where it becomes unsustainable to employ as many staff as we do.
“Then we’d start to see a gradual erosion in the amount of investment we can make in the golf courses.”
He added: “The reason for change, is to secure the return of the Open Championship and create a sustainable business.
“We want to lock in for future generations local access to golf at a fair price.
“We are also making sure the charity can be the maximum beneficiaries of this change as well.
“Golf is going through one of the biggest booms globally right now.
“We’re looking at NFL franchises coming to London. We’re looking at Champions League potentially going to the States.
“The world is becoming much more global. Sponsors want that. TV wants that.
“We need to make sure we’re in the stable looking out and not the other way around. That’s what we want to deliver for Carnoustie.”
However, locals remain sceptical of what the changes could mean for them.
At the moment there are no restrictions to playing Carnoustie when compared to any other regular course.
The facility houses three courses: the Championship, the Burnside and the Buddon and all are open to the public.
Some local players fear that the tee-sheets could be ripped up to make way for hotel guests and overseas golfers in place of members (just like at Trump Turnberry).
But perhaps the biggest fear is what could happen financially.
If the venue is radically transformed then it could lead to price hikes for current members.
Of the near-200 responses to a public consultation this week, 78 came from season ticket holders at Carnoustie.
But Angus Council finance director Ian Lorimer has promised locals their access won’t be curtailed and that any adjustments to membership costs or season ticket prices would be “controlled”, according to The Courier.
Mr Lorimer said: “78 STHs (2.8%) of all STHs at Carnoustie registered their objection to the proposals put forward by CGLMC.
“Those who did object tended to have strong views in that regard.”
He added: “The GARA (Golf Access Rights Agreement) sets out a much clearer and stronger position than exists under the current agreements,” he said.
“This is legally-binding on Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee, and ultimately the contractor they’re proposing to manage the courses.
“It covers things like how season ticket prices would be adjusted.
“We’re really worked very hard to make sure the GARA is as clear as possible and the protections are there.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page