The lucrative business of golf tourism across Courier country has suffered a blow.
“We’re open early and maxed out with visitors throughout championship week, and that’s the biggest benefit of the Open to the club.”
Mr Watson added that the R&A had said the club would remain in consideration to host other R&A championships, and Scotscraig “would welcome them with open arms” if it were to be chosen.
Ken Hutton, head professional at Downfield where Paul Lawrie qualified in 1999 before going on to win the championship a week later, said the club was saddened.
He added: “Obviously there was Paul qualifying in 1999 and going on to win but having guys like Geoff Ogilvy and Padraig Harrington playing on your course was special, and from a personal point of view I was lucky enough to be drawn in the field in 2007 and I’ll never forget trying to qualify on my home course.
“Club members don’t like to give up their course for anything but Open qualifying was one thing nobody minded.”
Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce president Chris Lundie said he was not concerned by the decision and the chamber did not expect to see a serious impact on the local economy as a result.
“People will still come to the region to play golf even if they are no longer classed as qualifying courses,” he said.
The R&A had used around 30 courses around the country for local final qualifying, which used to be staged the weekend before the championship itself and provided for up to 50 spots in the field, although that has fallen to just 12 in recent years.
The R&A examined postcodes from entries and picked the most densely populated areas from those two near London, one in Scotland and one in Lancashire.
Gailes, a final qualifying course for Royal Troon and Turnberry since the 1970s, was chosen for an initial run of four years.
The new system will come into operation in 2014, when the Open is at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake.
It emerged on Thursday that eight Tayside and Fife golf courses have been removed as qualifying venues for the Open Championship.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has opted to restructure entry into the championship by choosing four “permanent” venues for the final qualifying competitions from 2014 rather than host the event at courses near each year’s Open venue.
This means the four Fife venues last year when the Open was at the Old Course Ladybank, Scotscraig in Tayport, Kingsbarns and the Torrance Fairmont St Andrews as well as Downfield, Montrose, Monifieth and Panmure the four clubs used for Carnoustie lose the honour and prestige of association with the championship.
Four courses have been chosen to be final qualifying venues Hillside in Southport, Woburn in Bedfordshire, Royal Cinque Ports in Kent and Glasgow Golf Club’s Gailes links in Ayrshire.
Rhodri Price, R&A assistant director of championships, said they had been discussing change for some time and agreed it was “difficult on the clubs who have supported the Open for so long” like Ladybank, an Open qualifying venue on seven occasions since 1978.
He continued: “I have spoken to every one of them and we have had a good reaction. When it has been explained that it is for players’ welfare first and foremost, they can see it makes absolute sense.”
However, north-east Fife councillor Andrew Arbuckle expressed dismay at the news.
Mr Arbuckle, who represents Howe of Fife and Tay coast ward and also chairs both the north-east Fife area committee and Fife Rural Partnership, called the move a “disappointing blow” for the area.
“They are very good golf courses and are also well used and well looked after,” he said. “For those very same reasons, however, I am sure that local people and visitors to north-east Fife will continue to use them and support them.”
Graham Watson, captain of Scotscraig Golf Club, a qualifying venue since 1990, said the club was “philosophical and understanding” about the decision.
“I think we feel it’s been on the cards. Qualifying has been very prestigious for the club and we do get a facility fee from the R&A for use of the course.
“However, in terms of income I think we, like most other clubs in the area, benefit from increased visitor interest just because the Open is at St Andrews and Carnoustie, and that will not change.”
Continued…