The Fair City club was in jeopardy when a September planning bid to create a nine-hole course and flagship sports and community hub was rejected by Perth and Kinross Council.
Plans were lodged to build 175 new homes at Perth’s Craigie Hill Golf Club as part of an upgrade of facilities there(Image: handout/UGC)
BY GORDON BANNERMAN
The future of Perth’s under threat Craigie Hill Golf Club has been secured for the next two years.
Prospective development partner and Tayside groundworks specialists Kilmac, along with supportive businesses, are guaranteeing golf on “The Hill” to buy time for exploratory discussions over its future with the local authority.
That has paved the way for the 110-year-old club to encourage visiting golfers to join members playing in one of the country’s oldest winter competitions.
The Fair City club was in jeopardy when a September planning bid to create a nine-hole course and flagship sports and community hub, financed by a broad range of housing, was rejected by Perth and Kinross Council on the grounds of being contrary to the Local Development Plan.
But with Kilmac and other businesses now pledging to cover losses over the next two seasons, incoming captain Graeme Lundberg has launched the “Race to Elie” Winter League competition, with the winner bagging a week’s holiday at a plush five-bedroom home in the historic East Neuk coastal village.
“Our Winter League started in 1932 and we believe it to be one of, if not the oldest, competition of its type in club golf,” said Graeme, who has been a Craigie Hill member for 17 years.
“The backing from Kilmac and other sympathetic businesses means that the club can look forward to the next two years knowing we have a security blanket in place.
“This degree of certainty has enabled us to put plans in place for the winter and next season, with competitively priced membership packages introduced across various age groups ranging from under 15 up to 35.
“The holiday home prize is valued at more than £2000 and the ‘Race to Elie’ runs for 18 weeks through to the start of April, with rounds held on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“There are three handicap divisions and the best eight net scores from up to 72 potential rounds count towards prizes which also include fourball vouchers for Gleneagles and The Dukes in St Andrews, and other prizes.
“For the first time ladies and juniors are also welcome to participate.
“A £150 fee provides non members with an opportunity to join us playing on full greens at Craigie Hill, often at a time of year when their own courses might be waterlogged or restricted to winter greens.
“While the course will be shorter, playing off red tees ensures scoring is going to be highly competitive and with individual round entry fees set at £3.50, cash prizes are also up for grabs throughout the winter.”
Entries are now being welcomed and already the gauntlet has been thrown down by 87-year-old, long-time member Ian Wilson, with the six-handicapper carding a magnificent 61 nett score on the first day of competition.
“Looking forward to next season, Craigie Hill is now able to build on our strong ties with the local community, which has seen us supporting Saints in the Community, Perth Foodbank and the LoveOliver cancer charity,” said Graeme.
Entry forms for the Winter League competition are available from admin@craigiehill.co.uk and membership information is accessible on membership@craigiehill.co.uk
