The continued existence of one of the world’s oldest golf courses has been thrown into jeopardy following the collapse of the sole rescue bid.
The sport has been played on the North Inch in Perth for almost 500 years, with King James IV said to have played on the parklands in the 1500s.
Perth and Kinross Council has been looking to offload responsibility for the 18-hole course for some years, with its deteriorating condition leading to fewer players and financial difficulties.
It hoped partner charity Live Active Leisure (LAL) would take it on but its directors have backed away following almost two years of negotiations.
The council has now said that it will be “reviewing its position” early next year and will “communicate its plans” to the user group, clubs and members.
Golfers fear that the decision could signal the death knell for the course and have claimed the council has simply “lost interest”.
Businessman and long-time captain of Perth Merchants Golf Club Robin Valentine said the absence of the course from a scheme designed to bring fans to courses across the region in the year of the Ryder Cup made plain the local authority’s lack of vision for its future.
“North Inch golfers will be deeply disappointed that after 18 months LAL have pulled out of negotiations to take over the management of this historic golf course,” Mr Valentine said.
“This could be the final blow that will lead to its closure.
“We can only assume that PKC were unwilling to provide LAL with the financial support that was required to bring the golf course up to an acceptable standard of play.”
Parts of the course were turned into a flood plain in 2013 as part of an effort to protect the city’s North Muirton area during bad weather. That has seen some holes repeatedly flooded and with no pumping system in place they often remain under water for weeks at a time.
Gullies and ditches have also become choked with undergrowth and some storm damage has taken years to repair.
The damage that causes has taken its toll on the course and has had an impact upon user numbers, both locals and visitors to the city.
Mr Valentine expressed disappointment at LAL’s decision and surprise at the decision to omit the course from Ryder Cup advertising.
“LAL would have brought in much needed day-to-day management and an internet booking system that would have attracted more visitors,” he said.
Perth and Kinross Council said the LAL had “reluctantly” decided it could not commit the company to taking on further risk exposure in light of “the current challenging financial climate” despite a “genuine desire” to provide sporting services.
City centre councillor Archie McClellan described the decision as “deeply disappointing” but said he would now be putting pressure on the council to find an alternative solution and ensure that the course is properly advertised.