CHARLES MARSHALL CONFIRMS MOVE FOR CRAIBSTONE CENTRE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Charles Marshall, chief executive of Bucksburn-based Charles J Marshall (Aberdeen) Ltd, who build and sell trailers and other farm equipment nationwide, confirmed to me this morning in a telephone call that he is the "preferred bidder" for Craibstone Golf Centre which has been closed for two or three weeks after its owners went into liquidation.
"In fact, I've had my offer accepted and it's now in the hands of the legal people. I had hoped that the changeover of ownership would be seamless and the centre would not close for a single day. I find the delay is very frustrating," said Charles.
"The course has to be maintained and I want to get on with letting the Craibstone Golf Club membership know what's happening but my hands are tied by the legal people."
Mr Marshall says he does not play golf but he was attracted by the idea of owning a local golf centre when he read the news that it was for sale.
The liquidators put the golf centre's course and buildings, covering an area of 156 acres, on the market with a price tag of £450,000.
It was originally built by the Scottish Agricultural College at Craibstone with the help of Lottery funding and opened in 2000 with a view to providing a venue for greenkeeper training courses at the college but this never happened. The centre was sold four or five years to London and Scotland Golf Courses Ltd who went bust late last year.
Mr Marshall will face another problem when he does succeed in re-opening the clubhouse and course - a fair number of the 450 members have taken out membership of other clubs, principally Newmachar.
He needs to appoint an experienced general manager with drive and initiative to attract new club members and also pay-and-play business.