David,
I appreciated your IM. Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Niall,
Thanks and I look forward to our meeting!
Colin,
Thank you for an excellent, insider's look at what CS presents to the golfer, while explaining the thought process behind it. Your points make sound sense to me. The open nature of the site, when I saw it last, left me with the thought that strong winds could be a frequent guest as CS, and quite a challenge to the players!
Jon,
I tried to convey both sides of the dilemma, so hence the possible contradiction. Let's remember though, the 150 quid bar for a visitor fee in the Highlands didn't come from any club. I also respect that costs to build CS need to be recovered from those that play the course. It just changes the dynamic up there. I believe CS is an excellent golf course of fine quality. Many others feel the same way and will pay the visitor fee to play it.
It's just simple economics for RD, who feel they also provide a superb golfing presentation and atmosphere, to raise their price(now less than half) for what they surely believe is a equally valued experience. I've already seen it happen through the years; other regional courses have raised their fees in relation to RD's fee changes. Again, no surprise there, just market adjustments in relation to what the other competitive products are fetching from the visitor. If you'll notice Dornoch hasn't lowered any fee. I don't believe they will either, and when held up against some of most extortionate offerings of others, particularlty the Open rota tracks, is a deal!
Finally, with the many open events, guest events, Carnegie Shield competition and the like, most local Scots have ample oportunities, to ejoy RD for far less than the standard visitor tarrif, at some point. That is why, I suppose, they have the visitor fee policy they do, applicable to all. It's a special place and every golfer deserves to sample it at least once.
Cheers,
Kris