Published: Monday, 19th July, 2010 4:48pm

New golf trust bids to safeguard Fife courses

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THE future of golf in Fife was top of the agenda at the launch of the Fife Golf Trust.

Organised to coincide with the Open Golf Championship, the event, which was held in St Andrews, gave the chance for Trust board members to meet and talk to interested parties.

The specialist Trust will manage and operate the council's seven directly-managed golf courses across Fife - including Auchterderran Golf Course, Dora Golf Course in Cowdenbeath and Lochore Meadows Golf Course - and help co-ordinate its wider golfing interests from April 1st 2011.

A Board of Directors has been formed to lead the Golf Trust, comprising of people who bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge and represent partner agencies with a world wide reputation in the golfing industry including the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the St Andrews Links Trust and Elmwood College.

Directors include chair of the Fife Golf Trust Board Carol Borthwick, Director of International, Golf and Student Services, Elmwood College, Duncan Weir, Director of Golf Development, R&A, John Grant, Director of Golf, St Andrews Links Trust, Grant Ward, Head of Leisure and Cultural Services, Fife Council, Councillor Brian Goodall, chair of the Council's Housing and Communities Committee, Councillor Donald Macgregor, vice-chair of the Housing and Communities Committee and Councillor Neil Crooks.

The in-house golf team at Fife Council will now work with the Board to ensure the smooth transition to the Trust.

The Trust will operate for an initial period of five years until the end of March 2016. In keeping with the other trusts, performance will be reviewed quarterly by Leisure & Cultural Services and annually by housing and communities committee.

Carol Borthwick, chair of the Fife Golf Trust, added, "Fife has an excellent reputation across the globe for golf and I am delighted to chair the board and to be given the opportunity to further enhance and develop golf and the courses under our care.

"The Board is made up of members with extensive golf management expertise who will help develop the future of golf in the Kingdom."

Councillor Brian Goodall, chair of the housing and communities committee added, "It is fantastic that work is continuing on schedule ahead of the transfer to the Trust next year as this is an initiative that has been given cross party support and one which I'm sure will bring benefits to Fifers.

"The Fife Golf Trust will help us achieve the council's priority of improving sport, leisure and cultural opportunities and is one example of the ways in which we are thinking ahead and delivering services differently."