Members of Carnoustie Golf Links have hit out at a dramatic price hike which could double fees for some ticket holders.
Links managers announced a range of changes, including scrapping discounts for pensioners.
The Links said this is to allow new deals for young people but long-standing club members say they were not consulted about the price rises.
What has changed?
- The discount for golfers aged 65 and over will be scrapped
- Discounts introduced for people aged under 28
- Free golf for under 18s
- A seven-day three-course annual ticket fee increased from £468 to £648
- Five-day ticket (£324 per year) to be scrapped. A seven-day ticket costs £648
‘Just ridiculous’
While cheaper one or two-course options are still available (costing £231 and £399 respectively), some at the club are unhappy with the changes.
Wendy Clarke, a member of the course and former ladies captain of Caledonia Golf Club, will see her fees increase by £180 per year.
The 68-year-old said: “We all appreciate that probably fees have to go up, but there has been a lack of communication from the Links and there has been no warning of this.
“There was no discussion, no suggestion that fees would have to go up.
“That is the thing that has really angered everybody.
“My fees are going to go up by 38.5% annually.”
Wendy pointed out the loss of the five-day ticket will affect pensioners, who golf midweek while younger people are at work.
“A lot of older people have chosen deliberately to move to a five-day ticket now that they are not working,” she said.
“It allows workers to play at the weekend and they just play Monday to Friday.
“By insisting that they take a seven-day ticket, their fees are going up by 100%.
“That’s just ridiculous.”
She added: “We’re really disappointed that they just don’t seem to care about us.
“The signals they’re giving – it’s all money. It’s all geared towards getting visitors.
“I understand that they want to keep Carnoustie on the world stage, but they do have a commitment to those of us who live here.”
Links: ‘We are striking the right balance’
Carnoustie Links bosses have defended their new pricing structure, saying the changes will make golfing more accessible.
A spokesperson said: “A realignment of our season ticket pricing was carefully considered by our board and was long overdue.
“We exist to promote the widest possible access to golf in our local community across all ages and abilities.
“We believe we are striking the right balance with our new pricing framework that delivers affordable golf for everyone, including those younger people who are just discovering the sport, and for everyone else, they can still access championship standard facilities at highly advantageous rates.”
