Members of a major Scottish golf club embroiled in a bitter row over an £8 million takeover offer have voted to withdraw from further talks with American-led investors.
Relations among golfers at The Glen Golf Club in North Berwick were said to have deteriorated so badly that members from opposing sides on the issue were unable to sit in the clubhouse together, reports The Herald.
As the debate over the interest from The Ancient Links Golf Company (TALGC) raged, a group calling itself Friends of the Glen emerged to highlight concerns over the potential impact of the proposals, a protest song was recorded and a Save the Glen website was launched.
Opponents of the TALGC proposals argued the golf club did not need a package of investment and highlighted fears that it could lead to the investors eventually seeking a return on their investment which could alter the way their club operates in years to come.
Among their concerns were the risk of potential changes to members’ access to tee times to make way for golf tourists, and worries that it could lead to increases in visitors’ fees.
On the other side, a group calling itself The Silenced of the Glen hit back, claiming the opponents of the proposals had created deep fractions within the club and accusing them of intimidating members and behaving as a “patriarchy”.
They accused the Save the Glen group of having taken a negative stance against the TALGC offer without having fully investigated the investors’ impact at other clubs where they have already struck deals.
TALGC, which has investment partnership deals with two other Scottish clubs and has been in talks with at least two others, had offered the Glen a package worth around £8 million of investment.
At a Special General Meeting called by the club’s management committee, members of The Glen voted by 273 to 221 against a motion to take negotiations further with TALGC.
Had the motion gone through, the club would have had the green light to proceed with talks and to carry out due diligence.
The decision is understood to draw a line under the club’s association with TALGC, led by American investor Douglas Cifu, who has links to American hockey team Florida Panthers.
TALGC has been approached once again for comment on the issue and has not responded.
Jonathan Brown, managing secretary at The Glen, said: “This is an internal matter for the club and its members and should not be a debate or conversation for the wider public.”
A member of the Friends of the Glen group said: “Hopefully this will bring an end to this distraction and allow the members to plan for a future controlled by them.
“In addition, this will bring the club back together in time and recreate the atmosphere that the Glen has built up over the years where members and visitors alike can enjoy golf at our beautiful course.
“It will send a message to both TALGC and members of other clubs where TALGC are attempting to sell their services.”
The issue has been the subject of intense interest across Scottish golf and came in the wake of TALGC already having established partnerships at two Old Tom Morris designed courses: Scotscraig in Tayport, founded 1817 by the founders of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club, and Forfar Golf Club in Angus, set on land that was ploughed by monks as far back as the 12th century.
In Montrose, TALGC is currently involved in 99-year takeover proposals for Montrose Golf Links. Because the links include a Common Good asset, intended to be of benefit to the whole community, Angus Council has been running a public consultation on the proposals.
TALGC’s leadership team was originally made up of US-based retired millionaire Douglas Cifu, former Carnoustie Golf Links chiefs Michael Wells and Adair Simpson, Fife-based sports consultancy expert Archie Paton, corporate lawyer David Roberts and chartered accountant Hamish de Run. Wells ceased to be a director last month, the day before a special general meeting of members at the East Lothian club.
TALGC is said to be keen to build a portfolio of Scottish links courses. Its website states: “We work with historic golf clubs because they matter to their members, their communities and the wider game. Our purpose is to provide the investment, continuity and long-term stability needed to protect each Club’s character, traditions and place in the community.”
However, their investment creates a dilemma for Scottish golf clubs, which are struggling with ageing buildings, coastal erosion and rising costs, but which have concerns over the future impact of introducing new management to clubs with generations of golf heritage.
Since arriving at Forfar Golf Club, TALGC has restored the 15th hole, known as Braid’s Best, to its original architectural intent. And at Scotscraig, the clubhouse has undergone a full transformation, including a £1 million kitchen upgrade, new bar area, new toilets, furniture, soft furnishings and flooring.
Leave a Reply