Another group of disgruntled golfers have voiced their opposition to South Ayrshire Council’s plans to impose changes to the way the game is operated locally.
Ayrshire Live previously told how senior figures in the game said they were “angry and frustrated” at what they saw was a “series of enforced changes” that “smack of daylight robbery.”
Now a group who play out of courses at Troon have also backed calls for the council to revise plans for another shake-up.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We managed to get a picture of members of Troon Wellbeck Golf Club (gents, ladies and seniors), Troon St Meddans and Bentinck Ladies golf clubs, who all play at the Troon Links courses.
“Talking to them after the photoshoot, their anger at what SAC are imposing on their clubs and members is unbelievable and it’s a pity no one from South Ayrshire Council was there to witness it.”
The group claim SAC is the only local authority in Ayrshire not to offer a unilateral pricing concession to senior citizens.
They also claim the council takes “no action” to prevent dog walkers from wandering over courses and say there are no signage or course marshalls.
The spokesperson also said there is a “marked deterioration” of the presentation and basic maintenance of the Troon courses.
The spokesperson added: “There’s rabbit holes all over the fairways, while footpaths and edgings are in very poor condition.”
There’s also anger from a new electronic booking system used for the municipal courses, which is said to have reduced the long-standing privileges held by some clubs.
Big prices hikes are also a major sticking point.
And the formation of a new council-run golf club, South Ayrshire Golf Club, has also set a cat amongst the pigeons – with cynics claiming the new organisation will enjoy preferential treatment.
We previously told how the council formed a working group of politicians and officials to consider how its eight golf courses will operate going forward.
But a growing number of golfers are angry with the changes that have already been introduced since the first lockdown ended in May last year.
Since then, there’s been a huge increase in golf participation levels all over the country.
It’s prompted Golf South Ayrshire, who operate eight courses throughout the region, to make a raft of changes. Those include the way tee times are booked.
There was also the introduction of a flexi-membership, which was supposed to make it easier to turn up and play.
But the changes were met with criticism from golfers who could not access the tee times they wanted.
Now the Troon group say they want a meeting with the local authority to discuss their concerns.
Ayrshire Live can reveal how South Ayrshire Council has taken the unusual step of issuing an open letter.
The letter states: "Our aim is to ensure that golf is accessible to all and we present our golf courses and clubhouses to a consistently high standard using environmentally sustainable practices.
"In order to deliver on our intentions, the council has established a member/officer working group to develop the council’s strategy for golf.
"Considerable discussion has taken place already regarding representations from local golf clubs playing competitions over the public courses. The group has also considered responses which were provided to both golf clubs and individuals contacting Golf South Ayrshire through our 'Listening to you' customer service and directly to elected members.
"A Frequently Asked Questions document has been posted on our website which addresses almost all the points raised and provides a clear, honest and transparent response to the issues raised.
"Unfortunately, a small number of people continue to present false and misleading information in the public domain.
"Some clubs have taken action by writing to us to disassociate themselves from the actions of these people who are attempting to represent the wider majority when they do not have a mandate to do so.
"Of particular concern to these individuals is the establishment of the new South Ayrshire Golf Club.
"This club was established to allow men, women and young people to join a family friendly club that promotes the sport of golf in an inclusive way. So far, over 180 people have joined this club.
"The council allows around 30 clubs to play on our golf courses and of these, 22 are men-only golf clubs. One club enjoyed privileged, protected tee times which no other club benefited from.
"However, we want to ensure that every club has the same rights and entitlement to play on our public courses and equality of access is something which we want to protect."
The letter ends: "We understand that some golfers are keen to be involved in the development of golf in South Ayrshire and we welcome this.
"We would ask for your patience during this time to allow us to monitor the impact of the current arrangements and request that, should you require to communicate with staff in the golf service, you do so respectfully."
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