By Rob McLaren

CARNOUSTIE GOLF Links has applied to Angus Council for planning permission to install an 18-bay driving range on the site of the first hole of the Buddon Course.

If approved, the current second hole on the course will become the first and an additional hole will be created on land that Carnoustie Golf Links owns at the south west side of the course.

The state of the art driving range, with video and computer coaching aids, would create at least seven jobs and would be free to members of the Carnoustie Golf Links junior coaching programme.

A three-metre fence would run along the left-hand side of the range.

Manager of the Links’ management committee Graeme Duncan said, “The first hole on the Buddon course is not a great golf hole so losing this would not be a great loss.

“The only difficulty is that the start of the course would be a wee bit further out.

“Currently, when visitors come to the course and want to warm up, they are informed that our practice facilities are two miles away from the first tee of the Championship course and that they have to pick up their own balls.

“It will be of benefit to visitors and season ticket holders if there is a driving range nearer the ground.”

“Assuming that we are granted planning permission, the very earliest work might start is October, though it might be further away than that,” Mr Duncan added.

“We would have to decide whether to do work on the range first or the additional hole or both at the same time.”

Carnoustie Community Council is conducting a survey to determine the level of support in the town for the plans. The survey asks one question: Are you in favour of the Carnoustie Golf Links driving range proposal?

Forms and collection boxes are available at the library, Spar in High Street and Barry Road, the Co-op, Carnoustie Golf Shop, Donaldson’s Pet and Garden Centre and the Panmure Centre. People can also vote on the community council’s website, www.carnoustiecommunitycouncil.org.