A bust-up is brewing on Carnoustie’s fairways over plans for a multi-million-pound links centre upgrade.
Carnoustie Golf Club has formally objected to the £3 million upgrade over fears its approval could put its “very existence” in doubt after 173 years.
It is understood that a meeting was also held among hoteliers and publicans this week and they also intend to object.
Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee believe the new-look centre in Links Parade would provide a balcony with an “inspiring view” over the first and last holes.
It would be coupled with a significant upgrade to food and drink available.
Construction could begin after the British Seniors take place at the venue in autumn next year, and would be finished by the same period in 2017, ahead of the Open in July 2018.
Carnoustie Golf Club’s managingsecretary Alex MacKenzie’s objection letter stated: “The threat to our already stressed revenue streams, and therefore our very existence, that would result from the proposed bar and restaurant facility is significant and with farreaching conclusions, and we believe this has not been given the correct level of investigation, analysis, consideration or debate.”
The committee believes upgraded “support” facilities will help Carnoustie compete with other world-class golfvenues for the Open and other events.
Mr MacKenzie’s letter read: “On behalf of our membership the club raised a number of fundamentalquestions which it considered needed to be comprehensively answered before the project proceeded to the planning application stage.”
A decision is expected to go before councillors later this year.