Carnoustie remaining on course for the Open within the next few years has been hailed as “great news” for the town.
Fears the famous Angus links might drop off the Open rota were allayed by R&A chief executive Peter Dawson with his confirmation that Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland is an “addition, not a substitution” to the list.
There had been speculation that the return of the golf major to the Antrim course at a date yet to be confirmed could have squeezed a Scottish venue off the list, and Mr Dawson’s assurance was greeted with delight by community and golf figures in the links town.
The firm date for the return of the Claret Jug to Carnoustie is yet to be revealed by the R&A, with 2018 being a possibility.
Angus Provost, and Carnoustie councillor, Helen Oswald said that while she was delighted by the assurance over the course retaining its Open status, the challenge for the town and the council is to maximise the massive potential benefit the championship brings.
“There are always mutterings about the Open, because it is never announced far in advance, but confirmation that Carnoustie is still on the rota is very reassuring,” said Mrs Oswald.
“A lot of what brings visitors to the course is that it is an Open venue and it is always in fantastic condition.”
But the provost admitted that despite the huge numbers at the Open, Carnoustie’s town centre has failed to reap the potential bonanza and that remains a concern.
“The railway line creates an unnatural barrier and it has always been a challenge to get people to go between the golf course and the town. That’s a work in progress.”
The accommodation providers always do well, but sometimes the retailers are worse off when there’s a big championship and I’m sure that when there is some sort of notification (for the date) that we will be meeting with them to look at ways of encouraging people to the town, to let them know we are open for business,” added Mrs Oswald.
Fellow Carnoustie councillor Bill Bowles said: “There has been a lot of speculation as to where Carnoustie would sit on the rota so this is very welcome.
“An awful lot of hard work goes on down at the links to keep it in pristine form as a world-class venue and for it to retain the Open Championship is great news for Carnoustie and for Angus.”
Mr Bowles said the objective being pursued from a number of quarters is to breathe new life into the town centre, and develop the ties between it and the golf product.
“The only way we can grow the town the way I and others would like to see it is for Carnoustie to remain an Open venue. Carnoustie should have a town centre akin to places like Crieff and Melrose and we need to do a lot of work.
“Carnoustie Development Group is looking at initiatives to help make the town and golf closer. People come to Carnoustie to play this magnificent course and they never see the town.
“The town needs to feed off the hotel and golf course and vice-versa and I think we need to look at making the town centre the best it can be,” he added.
Carnoustie Golf Links general manager Graeme Duncan said: “We are delighted to remain as one of the Open Championship venues.
“We make no secret of the fact that the Open Championship is a huge competition for us, and we’re pleased that the R&A have acknowledged that Carnoustie’s still a venue.”