Monifieth Golf Links is to create a new central hub building as part of ambitious plans to boost visitor numbers to the historic courses.
The body that manages the Medal and Ashludie courses is buying the former Broughty clubhouse, a surplus asset after the merger of the Grange and Broughty Golf Clubs.
A deal for the two-storey building has been agreed between the new Grange and Broughty Golf Club and Monifieth Golf Links (MGL).
MGL now intends to transform it into a central hub that will include a reception, registration and information desk, golf shop and changing facilities for visitors as well as storage for the links’ fleet of electric buggies.
While adult golf membership in Scotland has declined, the clubs at Monifieth have remained stable with more than 1,000 members of the Grange and Broughty, Monifieth and Ladies Panmure clubs.
However, efforts to further increase membership are being challenged by the rise in people who pay-and-play at their local courses without joining clubs.
One area for growth that has been identified is the visitor market, which MGL believes it can continue to develop.
Visitor income at Monifieth is increasing year-by-year as the Medal and Ashludie courses become more popular destination for home and overseas visitors.
Although there has been positive visitor feedback on the condition of the courses, the fragmented nature of the existing facilities at Monifieth is seen as a disadvantage with starters’ boxes, pro shop and clubhouses all separate.
The purchase of the former Broughty clubhouse allows these issues to be addressed by creating an enhanced experience for members and visitors as well as superior facilities for the everyday running of golf at Monifieth.
Discussion are well under way to move the long-established Ron McLeod golf professional’s business into the hub.
There are also plans to turn part of the building into a golfing heritage centre – Monifieth being one of the oldest tracts of golf-playing land in Scotland with the earliest reference to it found in kirk records of 1639.
The first proper course was a nine-hole challenge laid out in 1845 on land leased from the Earl of Panmure.
MGL chairman Colin Cairnie said: “This is an ambitious move and a significant investment in the future of golf at Monifieth.
“The acquisition of the building will allow us to provide a far better golfing experience for both members and visitors, and a modern working environment for staff.
“We currently utilise around only 60% of the courses’ capacity and we believe the new building will help us attract more visitor income to the benefit of everyone who plays at Monifieth.”
MGL intends the new building to be functional for the start of the 2020 season, with further development over the longer term.
MGL is holding an open day on Sunday April 28 when the public will be given an opportunity to view all facilities at Monifieth and see plans for the hub project.
In a separate development, a new caddy shed is being built and more locker space created at the Grange and Broughty Club for its enlarged membership after the merger.
