A golf course reputed to be the oldest in the world has been saved from oblivion after Perth and Kinross Council agreed to kick-start its rejuvenation.
Scarred by repeated flooding and suffering through lack of investment, there had been a very real fear that the 18 holes on Perth’s North Inch would close forever.
That threat crystallised just last month when a long-mooted rescue package was revealed to have failed.
Now, however, £50,000 is set to be invested in the course over the next two years in a move that should secure its future.
Golf has been a feature of the North Inch for almost 500 years, with King James IV said to have played on the parklands in the 1500s.
Since then, the course has changed many times, with numerous extensions and revisions being made.
The current arrangement of holes was laid out by Old Tom Morris, who also designed Carnoustie, Muirfield and St Andrews New.
Its reputation has gradually faded over the years and its condition deteriorated, until parts of the course were finally turned into a flood plain to protect parts of the city from bad weather.
That move hastened its decline, with some holes repeatedly flooded by rainfall and overflowing gullies and ditches leaving some parts of the course under water for weeks at a time.
Over the next two years, the investment will see drainage improved on five particularly badly affected holes, while the ditch that runs across the course will be dredged to reduce flooding.
In addition, bunkers will be upgraded, fairways sanded and the path to the starter’s hut improved all of which it is hoped will see golfers return.
Perth city centre councillor Archie MacLellan had hoped to secure a larger pledge for a more intensive regeneration, but accepted that the lesser sum was “a step in the right direction”.
“This £50,000 will be invested over the next two years to bring the course up to a better standard and towards the condition it used to enjoy,” he said.
“We are talking about the oldest golf course in Scotland, with links to old Tom Morris and so it is vital that its future is secured.
“The course has undoubtedly been deteriorating and there has long been an urgent need for essential works to be carried out.”
Mr MacLellan accepted that his attempts to secure additional financial backing for the course within the budget reflected the scale of improvements needed.
“I had wanted the council to pledge £200,000 over two years, but accept that all that can be found at present is £50,000.
“The issue will, however, be kept under review and it may be that more money can be found, while the North Inch Users Group might itself look at fundraising.
“There also remains a possibility of talking to interested parties who might market and develop the course in conjunction with the council.”
Perth and Kinross Council has been looking to offload or at least share esponsibility for the 18-hole course for some years.
It was hoped that partner charity Perth and Kinross Leisure (PKL) might take it on, but its directors backed away last month following almost two years of negotiations.
Golfers feared that decision would signal the death knell for the course, but the new funding identified within the new Perth and Kinross Council budget signals that the local authority remains committed to golf on the parklands.