I guess it is good news for Barnbougle visitors as John says in the title for the thread. But as Neil suggests, perhaps not so good for Greg Ramsay, Peter Wood, and other investors.
My first contact with Barnbougle came with a phone call from Greg Ramsay in 2001 to go to Tasmania and have a look at some land that he thought might be suitable for a golf course. Even though I didn’t think my opinion would be particularly valid, I went along for a look.
The enthusiasm of Greg was somewhat infectious and I found myself journeying to Bridport on a number of occasions to photograph the land for Greg to promote the idea of Barnbougle Dunes. At times Greg pointed across the river and eventually took me across to walk around the land that eventually became Lost Farm. Even at that stage Greg talked up his plan to have Coore and Crenshaw build the second course.
It was quite the experience to watch the young golf enthusiast and budding entrepreneur go about building his dream. Despite the various setbacks Greg, with the help and financial investment of like-minded golfing aficionados, realised the dream of a links golf course at Bridport.
John, you are correct in that it probably is good news for Barnbougle visitors in the sense that the process of playing there will be somewhat streamlined, but for me much of the soul of the place has been compromised. I share Chris’ lament “I wish it was a good news story for all the passionate people involved in it.”