[Mark Pearce]

PPPS--Now if somebody would buy Grannie's Heilan Hame (the caravan park that will abut the new course) and build a world class destination resort, and.or somebody does the same thing with the once great Dornoch Hotel, the place could become Nirvana.....

rfg

Rich

Picture the scene in 10 years time. Two old duffers are looking out the window of the upstairs bar in the new Norman Forster designed clubhouse, watching tartan clad bell boys taking bags of clubs from the boot of the Perry Golf bus, while white boiler suited caddies stand beside the first tee waiting for their employers hit their tee shots in their freshly acquired “Dornoch Dunes 1615” logo’d golf wear.

One old duffer turns to the other and says “D’ye mind when this used to be a golf club ?”. To which the second old duffer replies “Say buddy, that sure is a wonderful accent. Where you from ?” Unfortunately the first old duffer can’t hear what was said due to it being drowned out by the lone piper (clad in Dornoch Dunes tartan, naturally) piping players onto the 18^th green.

Be careful what you wish for, that’s all I’m saying !
Niall

Priceless.

[David_Tepper]

"Picture the scene in 10 years time. Two old duffers are looking out the window of the upstairs bar in the new "Norman Forster designed clubhouse, watching tartan clad bell boys taking bags of clubs from the boot of the Perry Golf bus, while white boiler suited caddies stand beside the first tee waiting for their employers hit their tee shots in their freshly acquired “Dornoch Dunes 1615” logo’d golf wear.

One old duffer turns to the other and says “D’ye mind when this used to be a golf club ?”. To which the second old duffer replies “Say buddy, that sure is a wonderful accent. Where you from ?” Unfortunately the first old duffer can’t hear what was said due to it being drowned out by the lone piper (clad in Dornoch Dunes tartan, naturally) piping players onto the 18^th green.

Be careful what you wish for, that’s all I’m saying !"

This scenario is the exact opposite of what Mike Keiser wants and intends to happen for this project.

[Rich Goodale]

PPPS--Now if somebody would buy Grannie's Heilan Hame (the caravan park that will abut the new course) and build a world class destination resort, and.or somebody does the same thing with the once great Dornoch Hotel, the place could become Nirvana.....

rfg

Rich

Picture the scene in 10 years time. Two old duffers are looking out the window of the upstairs bar in the new Norman Forster designed clubhouse, watching tartan clad bell boys taking bags of clubs from the boot of the Perry Golf bus, while white boiler suited caddies stand beside the first tee waiting for their employers hit their tee shots in their freshly acquired “Dornoch Dunes 1615” logo’d golf wear.

One old duffer turns to the other and says “D’ye mind when this used to be a golf club ?”. To which the second old duffer replies “Say buddy, that sure is a wonderful accent. Where you from ?” Unfortunately the first old duffer can’t hear what was said due to it being drowned out by the lone piper (clad in Dornoch Dunes tartan, naturally) piping players onto the 18^th green.

Be careful what you wish for, that’s all I’m saying !
Niall

Niall

You are pretty much describing RDGC today.  Well done!

I'd love to turn back the clock to the 1980's when I was in my 30's and the annual subs were below $100, the Burghfield House Hotel bar was open 24/7 from March to September and I could drive the 1st green with a 2 iron, but that ain't gonna happen.

RDGC is increasingly ka ching/bling oriented, but that is good for the local economy, which is fine by me.  Obla di obla da life goes on.....

Rich

[David_Tepper]

"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be."

Yogi Berra could have said it, but he didn't!

http://quoteinvestigator.com/2013/07/06/nostalgia-is-not/

[Rich Goodale]

True, David, but the most true statement is "nothing is what it used to be."  That's just basic Physics.......

[Howard Riefs]

Matt Ginella's related story... 

http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/coul-links-golf-course-scottish-highlands-15511.htm

[Jon Wiggett]

Ally,

thanks for the explanation. I suspect that you are correct that a large amount of dune land is protected but not all. Certainly the two pieces I looked at to the north of Dornoch did not have any sort of designation nor did any of the sites on the west coast and islands. The dunes between the end of the Struie and the Dornoch Bridge are protected however.

Jon

[Ian Mackenzie]

Very simple Google search on "Coul Links" produces this PDF from SNH - Scottish Natural heritage - that describes the property in some detail. It appears to be designated as an "SSSI" - Site of Special Scientific Interest. Perhaps that is why Bill Coore may only use half the available land in the routing.


It lists that:


"This is a public statement prepared by SNH for owners and occupiers of the SSSI. It outlines the reasons it is designated as an SSSI and provides guidance on how its special natural features should be conserved or enhanced. This Statement does not affect or form part of the statutory notification and does not remove the need to apply for consent for operations requiring consent."



https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQFjACahUKEwii2LfzgevIAhXCYiYKHfzADTw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgateway.snh.gov.uk%2Fsitelink%2Fdocumentview.jsp%3Bjsessionid%3D0d9c260708c6632e2dad4ab847f4bb000c17af4178a65ecfb153d0c2ee37b94e.e38KahaMax4Rai0Oax8Sb3mMa3z0%3Fp_pa_code%3D984%26p_Doc_Type_ID%3D3&usg=AFQjCNHoxIq_tSbeMhJQXtO1Ojmr_ZMJ_Q&sig2=jTjGa4_fKoxFu5kYr9Wfbg&bvm=bv.106379543,d.eWE

[Tom_Doak]

Very simple Google search on "Coul Links" produces this PDF from SNH - Scottish Natural heritage - that describes the property in some detail. It appears to be designated as an "SSSI" - Site of Special Scientific Interest. Perhaps that is why Bill Coore may only use half the available land in the routing.


It lists that:


"This is a public statement prepared by SNH for owners and occupiers of the SSSI. It outlines the reasons it is designated as an SSSI and provides guidance on how its special natural features should be conserved or enhanced. This Statement does not affect or form part of the statutory notification and does not remove the need to apply for consent for operations requiring consent."



https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQFjACahUKEwii2LfzgevIAhXCYiYKHfzADTw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgateway.snh.gov.uk%2Fsitelink%2Fdocumentview.jsp%3Bjsessionid%3D0d9c260708c6632e2dad4ab847f4bb000c17af4178a65ecfb153d0c2ee37b94e.e38KahaMax4Rai0Oax8Sb3mMa3z0%3Fp_pa_code%3D984%26p_Doc_Type_ID%3D3&usg=AFQjCNHoxIq_tSbeMhJQXtO1Ojmr_ZMJ_Q&sig2=jTjGa4_fKoxFu5kYr9Wfbg&bvm=bv.106379543,d.eWE

It's possible to build in an SSSI.  We did so for portions of the new 9th and 10th holes at The Renaissance Club -- although we had to modify our plans a few times in order to gain permission.  There is a lot of back and forth in the process.


One reason they approved our petition was that they had accidentally allowed us to build a little bit of the original course in the SSSI ... the line for the SSSI and the property line did not match up as all parties had understood it to the first time around!


Also, I would second everything Ally Macintosh wrote in his previous post.  My experiences in Ireland have been MUCH different than my experiences in the UK about potential sites, because of the difference between the SAC and the SSSI.  Ireland took enough development funds from the EU when they first came in, that they are obliged now to follow all the EU rules.  The Brits do not feel the same obligation.

[Andrew Simpson]

It's possible to build in an SSSI.  We did so for portions of the new 9th and 10th holes at The Renaissance Club -- although we had to modify our plans a few times in order to gain permission.  There is a lot of back and forth in the process.


One reason they approved our petition was that they had accidentally allowed us to build a little bit of the original course in the SSSI ... the line for the SSSI and the property line did not match up as all parties had understood it to the first time around!


Also, I would second everything Ally Macintosh wrote in his previous post.  My experiences in Ireland have been MUCH different than my experiences in the UK about potential sites, because of the difference between the SAC and the SSSI.  Ireland took enough development funds from the EU when they first came in, that they are obliged now to follow all the EU rules.  The Brits do not feel the same obligation.

Isn't it a better situation where there may be some come and go in an area of SSSI in discussion with SNH or Sgov rather than a European bureaucrat blindly sticking to an EU ruling. Saying that the Scot Highlands has been a Cat1 Area for EU funding  for many years!
 I also know from close knowledge that SNH can be every bit as hard or blinkered as the EU, once given an Inch they can stretch it a Mile.

[Paul Gray]

It's possible to build in an SSSI.  We did so for portions of the new 9th and 10th holes at The Renaissance Club -- although we had to modify our plans a few times in order to gain permission.  There is a lot of back and forth in the process.


One reason they approved our petition was that they had accidentally allowed us to build a little bit of the original course in the SSSI ... the line for the SSSI and the property line did not match up as all parties had understood it to the first time around!


Also, I would second everything Ally Macintosh wrote in his previous post.  My experiences in Ireland have been MUCH different than my experiences in the UK about potential sites, because of the difference between the SAC and the SSSI.  Ireland took enough development funds from the EU when they first came in, that they are obliged now to follow all the EU rules.  The Brits do not feel the same obligation.

Isn't it a better situation where there may be some come and go in an area of SSSI in discussion with SNH or Sgov rather than a European bureaucrat blindly sticking to an EU ruling. Saying that the Scot Highlands has been a Cat1 Area for EU funding  for many years!
 I also know from close knowledge that SNH can be every bit as hard or blinkered as the EU, once given an Inch they can stretch it a Mile.

And in the next contradictory breath someone will be telling you that Britain is the only nation in Europe which enforces regulations. Scepticism about 'the other' is a national pastime. 


To be fair to Andrew, he did acknowledge it wasn't quite as simple as the EU being responsible for everything wrong in the world. 

[Niall C]

SSSI certainly isn't the death to golf in this country. Many existing courses are on land that has been designated as SSSI and it hasn't stopped them making tweaks and changes albeit they probably have to seek a higher level of permission in some instances than normal, probably quite rightly. I know at Silloth which has a SSSI designation that they got grants for stripping out gorse so it can actually work in the clubs favour.

Of the two courses I know built on SSSI, Mach Dunes and Balmedie International, Balmedie was the one that was really contentious partly because of the nature of the site ie. drifting dunes as opposed to Mach Dunes which was grazed by cattle, and the nature of the developer.

As long as Keiser doesn't try to do what he reputedly did at Bandon Dunes I suspect he will be alright. He seems to be going about it the right way so far.

Niall

[Paul Gray]

Just in brief point following up what Niall said:


Hayling is on a SSSI and benefits quite nicely from the arrangement. It's true that it can be a bit restrictive on occasion but working hand in hand with Nature England means some of the bills get paid just for keeping gorse and such like in existance. So long as we are preserving the dunesland, which is of course what is desired, we are working in the same direction. Actually, I'll go as far as to say that SSSI status could be beneficial in protecting many clubs from more gauche developmental plans which might be the fad of the day. Long may the relationship between club and environment continue.

[Thomas Dai]

An area west east of Inverness (actually between Castle Stuart/Fort George and Nairn) that could maybe make a good location for a links course/complex of courses would be near the former McDermitts yard at Carse of Ardisier. Nice and sandy and picturesque in that area and being an ex-oil rig fabrication yard a return from industry to greenery would I imagine be fine by the enviro's and SSSI folk -https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.5940198,-4.0125127,3191m/data=!3m1!1e3


On day perhaps there may be possibilities at the Nigg fabrication yard/dock site, the site adjacent to the Castlecraig pre-WWII links course that Jon has mentioned a few times at the picturesque northern entrance to the Cromerty Firth -https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.6975107,-4.0124355,3754m/data=!3m1!1e3

There's also huge area of sandy terrain between Tain and Inver including an old airfield - and an airfield closer than Inverness might be useful for golf developments in the area (note: Mr Trump has a old airfield at Turnberry) - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.8219688,-3.9722832,8862m/data=!3m1!1e3

So much fine golfing potential along the coast from roughly Spey Bay to Brora. Cracking part of the world as well, even has it's own micro-climate, although you wouldn't know it sometimes (brrrrrrr!).


atb

[David_Tepper]

"An area west of Inverness (actually between Castle Stuart/Fort George and Nairn)"

Thomas D. -

I think you mean east of Inverness!

DT

[Thomas Dai]

Very quick David!
As Captain Mainwaring would say "I wondered which one of you would be first to spot that"!
atb

[Alister Matheson]

Large parts of Skibo were and still are on a sssi , the project had some restrictions from the relevant bodies which were all complied with .


Part of the land had a so called ancient lichen Heath which was ring fenced , and within two years the pine fence posts had the same lichen growing on them ! #pureair


The Coul Links are fantastic and a course there would greatly benefit the Highlands .

[Thomas Dai]

Alister,


Is Cruden Bay effected by SSSI's, for example the area beetween to 5th/6th/7th fairways and the beach?


atb

[Marty Bonnar]

atb,
SNH hosts a splendid website with an interactive map of all of Scotland's designated landscapes:

http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/sitelink/index.jsp

Enjoy!

Cheers,
F.

[Jon Wiggett]

Thomas

There are plans for an area to the west of Nairn between the A96 and Moray Firth to be developed as a large housing estate (5000 if I remember correct) plus schools, shops, etc. This included an 18 hole golf course. The project was given approval before being called back on a technicality about 12 months ago. I have not heard anything new about this since then.

Jon

[David_Tepper]

Jon W.  -

I believe almost all of the Tornagrain New Town development will be sited south of the A96 road, roughly below the Inverness Airport. It does not look like a golf course is included as part of the planned development.

http://www.dpz.com/Projects/0612

DT 

[Adam Lawrence]

This gives details about the new course in Inverness. Stuart Rennie is the architect.

http://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/7490/land_purchase_paves_way_for_new_golf_course_at_torvean

[David_Tepper]

More on the new Torvean course, which replaces the current Torvean course and is on the west side of Inverness:

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/inverness/618206/plans-for-new-golf-course-put-forward-for-approval/ 

[Jon Wiggett]

Jon W.  -

I believe almost all of the Tornagrain New Town development will be sited south of the A96 road, roughly below the Inverness Airport. It does not look like a golf course is included as part of the planned development.

http://www.dpz.com/Projects/0612

DT

David,

looks like I remembered the fact incorrectly about the location as the link is certainly the development I was thinking about. The bit about the golf course was in a news paper report on the initial reports about the project when it was first being planned.

Jon

[David_Tepper]

"The bit about the golf course was in a news paper report on the initial reports about the project when it was first being planned."

Jon W. -

I do remember reading several years ago about a golf course being part of this development as well. Looks like it fell by the wayside.

DT 

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()