Private investors take control of famous Scottish golf club hit by funding woes
Plans could see financiers remain in charge of prized public asset until 22nd century
Martyn McLaughlin
Published 17th Mar 2025
One of Scotland’s most prized sporting venues could be controlled by a group of private investors for the next century amid controversial plans to secure an injection of capital and transform it into a “world leading” tourism destination.
The historic Carnoustie golf links, which has been held in public ownership since the 19th century, is now being run on a day-to-day basis by a little known consortium of financiers as part of efforts to expedite the return of golf’s prestigious Open Championship.
Amid doubts over Carnoustie’s long-term future as a top-class venue and a lack of funds to make major improvements to on-site facilities, Angus Council, the cash-strapped owner of the links, has approved a short-term deal to hand control of the complex of three courses to a private company, Carnoustie Golf Heritage and Hospitality Group Limited (CGHH), arguing the existing model is “not financially sustainable.”
But talks on a longer-term deal are at an advanced stage, and could see CGHH manage and operate the courses until well into the 22nd century, raising concerns that one of the jewels in the crown of Scottish golf is essentially being privatised. Some critics have expressed concern the venue could ultimately fall into the hands of other parties, such as Saudi Arabia, or even US president Donald Trump.
The changes at Carnoustie, detailed as part of Scorecard: The Business of Golf, a week-long series by The Scotsman scrutinising the financial side of the game in Scotland, mean that as well as bearing responsibility for the costs of running the links, CGHH is also receiving all the income from them.
Under the terms of that seven-figure deal, Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee (CGLMC), a charitable company that has managed the courses for years, and which drew up the new proposals, has sold its intellectual property rights, including the ‘Carnoustie golf links’ trademark, to CGHH, with all its assets and staff transferring to the private firm.
The arrangement runs until 2033. But in what would amount to the biggest shake-up at the venue in living memory, the investors want a new, long-term lease to run until 2123.