Later news: You can still play golf over the links near Fochabers

SPEY BAY CATERING CLOSED TO PUBLIC,
NE ALLIANCE SWITCHED TO BUCKPOOL

The November 22 North-east Alliance competition arranged for Spey Bay has been switched to Buckpool - but the Spey Bay course remains open to the public, said a spokeswoman later (on Thursday).
"I have been informed that the Spey Bay building has been condemned by the local authorities with regard to providing catering facilities" said Alliance secretary Ron Menzies.
"I was offered changing room facilities but without catering and declined. Buckpool Golf Club is delighted to have us on November 22 - and we shall still be returning to Buckpool in the second half of the season."
The closure of Spey Bay's hotel-restaurant-clubhouse building to the public is another step in the decline of what was once a famous links.
Neil Hobday's company had American investors prepared to put up money to restore Spey Bay to its former glory but because things were moving so slowly, they eventually pulled the plug on the project.
Edinburgh-based Mr Hobday, by the way, is now the project manager for Donald Trump's long-awaited hotel-villas-golf course development on the Menie Estate between Aberdeen and Ellon.
The good news is that although he cannot have a meal before or after your round you can still play golf over the Spey Bay links.
Fears that the classic short but testing links near Fochabers might be abandoned and soon revert to nature have been dispelled. According to a spokeswoman, a three-strong greenkeeping staff will continue to maintain the course.