By Ralph Barnett

JUST FOUR weeks before Carnoustie welcomes the world’s top golfers to the Open Championship, the man tending the course has been suspended from work following an alleged assault on a young apprentice.

John Philp (pictured), who has worked at the famous course for more than 20 years and received an MBE for his efforts to bring it back up to the standard required by the R&A, was sent home on Friday after an alleged incident involving a 20-year-old apprentice engineer.

Details of the incident have not been made public but it is understood that a confrontation occurred when the young apprentice was taking a break from work.

A source said that the young man involved had not contacted the police after the incident, again for fear of adversely affecting his apprenticeship at the course.

Up to 180,000 golf fans are expected to descend on the Angus burgh for the 136th Open Championship next month, all keen to see if the likes of Tiger Woods can tame the course Mr Philp has prepared for them.

Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee general manager Graeme Duncan, who spent yesterday out on the championship course with a TV crew, stressed the running of the Open would be unaffected and said, “The only thing I can really say about this is that I can confirm that there is a staff matter which is currently under investigation and that a statement will be made in due course.”

A spokesman for the R&A said, “This whole situation is really just a matter for Carnoustie.

“As far as the R&A is concerned, we are very happy with the strength and depth of the greenkeeping squad at Carnoustie.”

Attempts to contact Mr Philp (59) at his Carnoustie home yesterday were unsuccessful.