Three readers' views on impending Scottish Open "transfer"

E-mail from Danny Wightman (Scottishgolfview.com reader)

Is move to Castle Stuart or Renaissance Club

a bridge too far away from Loch Lomond?

(EDITED BY COLIN FARQUHARSON)
I have read a lot of comments in the papers and on the Internet about the decision to move the Scottish Open championship away from Loch Lomond to either Castle Stuart of the Renaissance Club.
I am very disppointed with that because i have never missed attending the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. I think they are making a mistake to move the championship to somewhere else.
Never mind the money aspect ... it's about the other things like the fans who could be struggling to afford the petrol and the cost of staying at hotels up there in the North compared with what has been a day trip from anywhere in the Central Belt which is where the bulk of Scotland's population lives.
I believe that a new venue for the Scottish Open wont will match the attractions of Loch Lomond where the scenery is superb, you can get a good view of the golf and the fans can get easy connections by train to Balloch where there are plenty hotels/digs that are used by the players, caddies and fans.
I don't think the attendance figures at either Castle Stuart of the Renaissance Club will be nearly as high as has been the case at Loch Lomond.
The East Lothian venue would also mean fans from the West would have to fork out for pertol. There is no close train station there, with North Berwick being a little too far away.

DANNY WIGHTMAN

E-mail your view to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

First response:

E-mail from John Harris

Having attended a Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and been disappointed with the spectator facilities, the news that it is moving to another venue is good. In fact, Scotland has such an abundance of superb courses, it seems ludicrous that its Open hosting should be confined to merely one venue.

No, relocation to Castle Stuart and the Renaissance will give a much stronger "links" feel to the event which traditionally prefaces the Open itself over a links course as always.
East Lothian and Moray have less access problems than Lomond and the event will give a welcome boost to two local economies in dire need of stimulus during the wider recession.
The Renaissance is a particularly well-prepared course and, unlike Lomond, can withstand the threat of heavy rain with absolute impunity. Attending spectators will also be spoilt for golf-playing opportunities while they are staying in the area.
While we are on the subject, and in order to allow all of Scotland to share equally in the benefit of hosting its premier annual golf jamboree, how about establishing a small rota for the event? My starting bid would be a list comprising:
            
Castle Stuart
The Renaissance
Royal Dornoch
Kingsbarns
Turnberry
Royal Aberdeen
Gleneagles
Carnoustie.    
JOHN HARRIS

Second response

E-mail from Bryan Fotheringham

I think it's great news that the Scottish Open is moving up here to the North of Scotland, then moving on to the Renaissance Club thereafter. But I would like to see it move more often than that so that every area of the country would get the chance to see top class players form the European Tour on their doorstep.
I take it from his E-mail that Mr Wightman is from near Glasgow, complaining about paying for petrol to get to Castle Stuart and East Lothian. What about the people from the North and North-east of Scotland who, over the years, have shelled out lots of money to get to Loch Lomond, stay there and eat there.
It's the SCOTTISH Open after all which doesn't mean major sporting events can't go any further north of Gleneagles. It should go to other places like your other reader John Harris suggested You could add to his list:
Western Gailes
Panmure
Nairn
Wouldn't it be nice for it to be moved around annually.

Bryan Fotheringham

COLIN FARQUHARSON COMMENTS:
As one experienced golf writer - even more experienced than me - summed up the situation succinctly to me:

"The problem with venues for the Scottish Open is that the top links courses are tied in with THE Open.
"As Keith Waters said some weeks ago, the whole thing is very complicated, not just regarding the Open but also what is the best venue, should it be there for a few years etc, etc?
"Also there is the matter of infrastructure. Loch Lomond was established re TV cabling and other permanent fixtures for a tournament. The Tour and the TV companies will have to start from scratch at Castle Stuart, The Renaissance or any other 'new' host venue.
"Giving lists of preferred courses is all very well, but there is so much more to it."