Very interesting thread and great to hear the opinions of each. The meeting was very cordial, with everyone having the Club's best interests in mind when stating points.
The clubhouse question, do we need one?, was a resounding yes. I voted yes purely because the present one is a mishmash of terrible add ons and really needs to be redeveloped in to a more usable space. I am completely against a new build behind the 18th, I think it would struggle to get planning anyway. Its a silly idea to take traffic in front of the 1st, or up from the beach passing the 18th, or across the existing 1st of the Struie. The Royal Golf, i can see the logic in it but totally appreciate the concerns raised by one or two Gents about the costings, repairs etc. That leaves me leaning towards a build.on the current site should the cost of the RGH be excessive and beyond the reach of the club.
The hole changes I voted as follows,
1st- moving small bunker over mound on right 30yds forward- i voted to leave alone. It was passed to be moved.
7th green being moved and green exactly replicated in new site and 8th Tees moved to present 7th green site- I voted leave alone, it was passed to be moved.
9th- bunker at approach to be added left of existing- voted for it, it was rejected
11th- new bunker added 17yds closer to green from existing right fairway bunker- voted against and it was voted to remain as is.
12th- existing unused medal tee to be removed, 11th green extended and new Tees for 12 located around existing medal tee, fairway approach relandscaped and rough more defined between 12/5- voted for it although I'm against the green being extended left, a pin over there above the big Greenside bunker would be horrendous on a hole that's clearly tough enough. It was passed
I voted against the changes to 7/8 purely because I think the holes are great as they are. They present a good challenge depending on wind and if I was advocating any change, it'd be to add bunkering down the right of 7th to draw the eye in from that side. If sea views are required, do away with the whin along the ridge. It's a pointless change in my mind and one that's pandering to a false notion that Dornoch has to change in order to 'keep up' with others. I believe it's special as it is, tweaks here and there are welcomed but wholesale changes like this, in my opinion, very dangerous and unneeded on a course that's comfortably one of the best. Improve on perfection, or ruin it?? Some changes [size=78%]will be carried out in-house, the 7/8th changes will be carried out when the money is there to be done by contractors. I just hope they don't ruin a course that is as close to architectural perfection as you're likely to get. [/size]