Montrose Golf Links, the fifth oldest course in the world, is facing a battle for survival after being ravaged by coastal erosion.
A think tank is now to be formed with stakeholders to discuss a way forward for the course, which was created 452 years ago and can boast features laid down by Old Tom Morris.
The Medal course has already been altered to take account of recent devastation, with storms leading to the loss of dunes at the edge of the fairway between the second and fifth holes.
Montrose councillor David May said: “Over the last 20 years coastal erosion has had a devastating effect on the beach at Montrose and also the loss of much of what was part of the second fairway of our course.
“This led to Montrose Golf Links Limited having to spend considerable sums on realigning the fairway.
“As local councillors we were given updated plans to protect the beach and the course from erosion by the North Sea and the aim of this project was to slow down the rate of the erosion in the dune system.
“The meeting which will be organised will help to update us on this and further action which is possible.”
It has been estimated the Montrose coastline could wear away by up to 90 yards over the next 50 years. There are few places where the damaging effect of coastal erosion is more evident than at Montrose Golf Links.
The sixth tee was made unplayable by a storm 15 years ago, and greenkeepers have been fighting the elements ever since.
A senior council officer has inspected the impact of the latest erosion after being contacted by Mr May.
New sand fencing has been installed to replace the barrier which has been lost, and the council will stay in regular contact with the course manager and monitor the impact of the tides.
After further discussion between Mr May and the council, a meeting will be organised later this month with representatives of the Montrose Golf Links and councillors to discuss a way forward.
A full stakeholders’ meeting will then be organised with others including GlaxoSmithKline and Montrose Harbour Board. Experts say the conditions that led to the development of beaches and dunes have now been reversed.
Sediment is running out so beaches are getting thinner and the shoreline is moving landward and cutting into dunes. The second issue is rising sea levels which are beginning to impinge on sections of coastal land formerly not affected.
These effects are working together to make the shoreline move landward and erode whatever is at the bank.