Editor's Note: We don't usually publish anonymous E-mail messages but the following response to our story about Aberdeen Town Council being prepared to close Auchmill golf course to save public money is an interesting and informative one.

Not just Aberdeen, Edinburgh's municipal golf

courses are also running at a loss

From: "Tellitasitis"
I was interested in your article (published Thursday) regarding Aberdeen Town Council.
*Below is an extract from an Edinburgh Leisure report on revenue from Edinburgh's six municipal courses - two are only 9 holers.
The reason for poor revenues in Edinburgh is not the weather, it is the ridiculous charges to play the courses. I would say 90% of golfers playing the courses live in Edinburgh and are already paying to maintain the courses through their council tax.
If an Edinburgh resident was to turn up for a game and at the starter,s box he meets up with three other golfers from say Australia, the States and Japan, all four would pay the same green fee !!
Edinburgh's problem is Edinburgh Leisure - they hive off money to fund other ailing sporting facilities throughout the city and thir management are seriously lacking in knowledge of the game of golf and have no empathy with golfers at all.
My club would welcome the opportunity of leasing the course from Edinburgh Leisure - something the club members of our club and others will probably never get the chance of doing as the tenders never come up for bidding.
Like Aberdeen Town Council, the City of Edinburgh' s quango Edinburgh Leisure are not managing their finances and the management need to be exposed for this.
Finally - I find your website a fantastic source of information - well done!

EDINBURGH LEISURE REPORT ON MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSES
* The net position within Golf has deteriorated from £62k behind target at the end of June (as reported at the August Board) to £128k behind at the end of August.
This is attributable to the exceptionally wet weather during the month of August.
Total golf income during August was £75k behind target and £65k behind August 2007.
Craigentinny was hit particularly badly by the weather, with the full 18 holes being closed for 10 days during the month, and for another six days only nine holes were open for play.
Golf income targets do reduce significantly from October onwards and so the full year deficit is projected to be £135k.

Any more views on municipal golf in Scotland? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com
What about those who use Auchmill golf course in Aberdeen? We would like to know how they feel about the local situation.