Carnoustie’s landmark hotel overlooking the town’s Championship golf course has been bought by the body which runs the links.
Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee (CGLMC) has exercised an option to acquire the four-star hotel and spa.
And it could mean an expansion and upgrade for the facility in a masterplan vision to create a “world-leading destination” in Angus.
The hotel sits beside the 1st tee and 18th green of the world famous course.
It is also adjacent to the committee’s Links House HQ, opened in 2018 ahead of the last Open to be staged in the Angus town.
The ambitious takeover is part of a programme which could bring major changes to the links’ long-term future.
It is part of the drive to keep Carnoustie’s place on The Open rota secure.
In 2018 the event delivered £22 million directly into the Angus economy, and an estimated £50m-plus tourism spin-off.
Carnoustie hosted the AIG Women’s Open last year and is a regular Dunhill Links Championship venue.
Long-term strategy
Links chief executive Michael Wells says acquiring the 96-bed hotel is a “key and natural part” of the links committee’s future strategy.
The hotel’s acquisition had been secured through an investment partner.
Mr Wells said: “Carnoustie is a unique golfing ecosystem.
“It attracts the world’s preeminent professional championships in men’s and women’s golf, national and international golf tourists and maintains local access for all in Angus.”
He said a “window of opportunity” was created in the wake of 2018 to stimulate transformational change.
“Hotel accommodation forms a key and natural part of our long-term plans to build a more sustainable business that benefits the local and regional economy,” said Mr Wells.
“We know that the hotel plays a large part in the town, particularly to those who use the leisure and hospitality facilities and we want to expand on this and provide improved facilities for all.
“Angus Council is currently engaged in detailed scrutiny of the land lease proposals and for sound commercial reasons Carnoustie have now exercised an option to acquire the Carnoustie Golf Hotel from its current owners.”
The price paid for the hotel has not been disclosed at this stage.
But in 2019, owners Bespoke Hotels put the hotel on the market with a £10 million price tag.
Many bedrooms enjoy spectacular views over the Championship course.
It is also a popular wedding and events venue, with the Ben Hogan and Augusta suites among its meeting spaces.
CGLMC say they will now be carrying out a full review of the hotel and its facilities.
It could lead to a planning application to Angus Council for an upgrade and expansion.
Mr Wells added: “Carnoustie Golf Links’ ambition is to collaborate with the local community and planning authority with public engagement at the forefront to develop a world-leading destination for local people and visitors alike.”
Hotel history
Carnoustie Golf Hotel was built by Dundee businessman Michael Johnston and opened on the eve of the 1999 Open Championship.
The eyes of world saw Scot Paul Lawrie capture the Claret Jug in that year’s play-off thriller.
But despite its position overlooking the Championship course, it has never achieved the status of venues such as St Andrews’ Old Course Hotel.
The Carnoustie façade features a 2.8 metre Rolex clock weighing in at 450kg,
It was the largest timepiece of its kind supplied by Rolex at the time it was fitted and one of only 40 at golf courses across the globe.
New deal delayed
News of the hotel takeover comes ahead of Angus councillors being told progress on the new links management deal is not progressing as quickly as hoped.
Carnoustie’s golf courses – and the land on which the hotel sits – are owned by Angus Council.
The current 55-year lease runs out in 2033.
CGLMC want to secure a 125-year lease and set up a new company to sub-lease the Championship, Burnside and Buddon courses.
The links committee aim to secure significant external investment and a conditional long-term agreement with the R&A around The Open returning to Carnoustie.
Earlier this year, council chief executive Margo Williamson said the status quo for running the links was “not an option” if it puts the medium to long-term return of The Open to Carnoustie at risk.
But she the future management of the jewel in Angus’ sporting crown is one of the biggest decisions the council will take.
On Thursday, a full meeting of the council will be told progress on a new links deal has been hit by “multiple competing priorities”.
Council resources, the pandemic, staff recruitment challenges, the cost of living crisis and work around supporting Ukrainian refugees have all been blamed for the delay.
But public consultation on the various options is to be held later this year.
And it is hoped to agree a way forward by the turn of the year.
Season ticket changes called into question
Councillors will also decide whether any action should be taken against CGLMC over controversial fee changes brought in earlier this year.
It saw some local players face huge increases.
A £324 five-day ticket was scrapped and in its place links bosses put a £648 seven-day pass.
Town golfers complained about a lack of consultation on the changes.
The links say they were brought in to make the courses more accessible.
And it said a realignment of season ticket rates was “long overdue”.
But under the current management arrangement the council also has to be consulted on fee changes.
If councillors don’t think the price hike is fair they could order the links committee to refund players who have paid the new fees.
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