Craigie Hill Golf club was left in “serious jeopardy” in September when a planning bid to cut the historic course from 18 to nine holes, along with the construction of a sports and community hub and 175 new homes, was rejected by Perth and Kinross Council on the grounds of being contrary to the local development plan. Club captain David Mitchell said at that time that if the plans were refused, the 114-year-old club could continue to run for no more than 15 months.
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The prospective development partner on that project is Dundee engineering group Kilmac, which along with other local businesses has now pledged to cover Craigie Hill’s losses for the next two playing seasons. The club is said to be haemorrhaging up to £30,000 annually and has been “fighting” against decline for the past two decades.
“The backing from Kilmac and other sympathetic businesses means that the club can look forward to the next two years knowing we have a security blanket in place,” incoming captain Graeme Lundberg said.
“This degree of certainty has enabled us to put plans in place for the winter and next season, with competitively priced membership packages introduced across various age groups ranging from under 15 up to 35.”
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Mr Lundberg, a member of Craigie Hill for 17 years, has also launched the club’s “Race to Elie” winter competition that will for the first time be open to ladies and juniors. None-members will also be able to take part in the competition for a fee of £150. The winner will receive a week’s holiday at a plush five-bedroom home in the historic East Neuk coastal village of Elie.
“Our winter league started in 1932 and we believe it to be one of, if not the oldest, competition of its type in club golf,” Mr Lundberg said.
He added: “Looking forward to next season, Craigie Hill is now able to build on our strong ties with the local community, which has seen us supporting Saints in the Community, Perth Foodbank and the LoveOliver cancer charity.”