Exclusive:Campaign launched to save East Lothian golf club from private hands
The club has been described as a ‘valued community asset’
A bid by The Ancient Links Golf Company to add the Glen Golf Club in North Berwick to its portfolio of Scottish courses is being opposed by a group of members.
A new community campaign, ’Save the Glen’, has been launched ahead of an upcoming members' vote on proposals that could see the management of the Glen transferred to The Ancient Links Golf Company.
The campaign has been established by members and supporters of the Glen who believe the proposal would “fundamentally change the governance” of one of Scotland's oldest publicly-owned golf courses and place a “valued community asset under long-term private commercial control”.
The Ancient Links Golf Company is already in partnership with two Scottish clubs - Scotscraig in Fife and Forfar in Angus, where Montrose is also believed to be a target for a partnership.
The Glen, which is owned by East Lothian Council, is now in its sights, with reports claiming that “significant investment” would be in the region of £8-10 million.
Organisers of the ‘Save the Glen’ campaign stress that they are not opposed to investment or improvement of the Glen. Instead, they argue that the club is financially strong, capable of delivering its own ambitious development plans, and should remain independent, community-led and publicly accountable.
The campaign is calling on members to vote against the proposal and on East Lothian Council, as owner of the golf course, to ensure that any future arrangements protect the public interest, preserve affordable public access and safeguard the Glen for future generations.
Speaking on behalf of ‘Save the Glen’, former club captain Alan Nisbet said: "This is about much more than golf. It is about protecting one of North Berwick's great community assets.
The Glen has served local people for more than a century, and we believe its future should remain in the hands of the community, not be tied to a commercial arrangement lasting 125 years."
Alasdair Kerr, another former captain, added: “The Glen has always welcomed visitors from around the world while remaining accessible and affordable for local people and visitors. We believe it can continue to invest in its future without giving up its independence."
Members of the Glen, which is set to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2031, are expected to vote on the proposal shortly.
The Ancient Links Golf Company, which is aiming to create a “curated collection of historic community courses in Scotland”, has been founded by a group that includes Michael Wells, who worked for The R&A in the championship team and, specifically, focusing on The Open before being appointed as the first Carnoustie Golf Links chief executive in 2017.
Adair Simpson, who worked alongside Wells at the Angus venue as the deputy CEO and finance director, is also one of the founders, as is Archie Paton, a Fife-based sports consultancy expert who helped broker Ron Gordon’s takeover of Hibs in 2019.
Making up a vastly-experienced bunch of people are David Roberts, a London-based lawyer, and Hamish de Run, who is the group’s expert in infrastructure investment.
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