http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/The-Renaissance-ruled-out-for.6670571.jp?articlepage=2The Renaissance ruled out for Scottish Open
Published Date: 24 December 2010
By MARTIN DEMPSTERTHE long-awaited decision on a venue for next year's Barclays Scottish Open now appears to be a choice between a move to Castle Stuart as part of a multi-year contract with the Inverness course or staying at Loch Lomond, its home for a decade.
It had been hoped an announcement would be made by the European Tour before Christmas but that has now been put back until early next month, although the reason for that is not entirely clear.
One thing for certain, how-ever, is that the 2011 event will not be staged in East Lothian at The Renaissance Club, which had been in the running along with Castle Stuart until recently.
The Scotsman understands it has been ruled out due to the fact it doesn't yet have a proper clubhouse, while the European Tour would also rather wait until three new holes in the pipeline there are not only built but also bedded in before hosting one of the biggest events on the circuit.
It had been suggested Castle Stuart could host next year's tournament before it then moved to The Renaissance Club for a spell, but a problem with that is the return of the Open Championship to Muirfield, its next door neighbour, in 2013.
Having two major events back-to-back in such close proximity is a situation both the European Tour and the R&A are believed to be keen to avoid.
As things stand, it appears Castle Stuart, which has earned rave reviews since opening its doors 18 months ago, is still the likely option for next year and, quite possibly, for another two years after that.
Its owners feel it would be more beneficial for everyone concerned if the event was staged in the Inverness area for more than just the one year and that would certainly make sense.They are also confident the Highland capital is more than capable of hosting what would be by far the biggest golf event to be held in the area, having made a big play in their pitch to the European Tour about the fact there are 11,000 hotel bedrooms within 40 minutes of the course.
"We haven't got too much more to say on a venue for the Barclays Scottish Open but are hoping to have some news after the Christmas period," said Peter Adams, the championship director. "Everything is progressing, it's just that we are not ready yet to make an announcement. There are no problems that I'm aware of but a process like this can sometimes take twice as long as you think it should."
The longer the delay the more likely it is that the event could be back at Loch Lomond, even though it is believed the exclusive club would rather not stage it next year as it undergoes a members' buyout.
If there is a reluctance on behalf of either the Tour or Barclays to take it away to the Inverness area, where the crowd figures are sure to be less than the huge numbers at Loch Lomond, then staying put and delaying any switch for another year could be an option.
While disappointed, no doubt, to have been discounted at the moment, it is believed The Renaissance Club, where the members include Barclays president Bob Diamond, are still hopeful they can stage the event in the future.
The Scotsman understands that work on a clubhouse will get underway next year, earlier than originally planned, and, once the new holes, which are being added by top American architect Tom Doak on a stunning piece of land close to the Firth of Forth are complete, the club will be better equipped for one of the European Tour's biggest events.