A legal dispute has broken out between the body which runs the most famous golf course in the world and a company which wants to use the St Andrews name to sell its clubs.
The St Andrews Golf Company, based just outside the town, recently tried to register its trademarks with the Intellectual Property Office.
However, it was astounded to learn objections were lodged by the St Andrews Links Trust.
The charitable trust, which runs seven courses, including the Old Course, claims it holds the rights to the words “St Andrews” when associated with golf.
And they said if the St Andrews Golf Company wished to use the town’s name in a trademark to be marketed around the world, it would be required to pay for a licence.
Ewan Glen, chief executive of the St Andrews Golf Company, said: “What has happened is absolutely outrageous.
“Money and power seems to have gone to its (the trust’s) head and (it is) now resorting to bullying and threatening businesses that have been in St Andrews for generations.”
A spokesman for St Andrews Links Trust said: “The trustees view it as their duty to reduce the danger of misrepresentation and to nurture what the name symbolises around the world.
“We made efforts to work with St Andrews Golf Company Limited to try and reach a satisfactory outcome. At no time has a fee been part of that dialogue.”