Big changes afoot at Scotscraig

Fife club unveils raft of ‘proactive and forward-thinking’ moves both on and off the golf course

By Michael McEwan

The world’s 13th oldest golf club has unveiled a far-reaching set of membership options that has propelled the 200-year-old institution into the forefront of the sport’s development.

Scotscraig, one of the most respected golf clubs in Scotland, has revised its constitution to include a raft of new and innovative membership categories designed to encourage younger players and greater family participation.

Celebrating its 200th anniversary, the Fife club has enjoyed a packed season of festivities during 2017 while also completing a comprehensive renovation project that reinstated many original features of the famous course.

Despite a hectic calendar, Scotscraig Golf Club captain John Rankin said the new constitution and expanded membership categories represent one of the most significant changes ever made at the famous Fife club.

“This is the most extensive overhaul ever undertaken at Scotscraig,” said Rankin. “It provides more options for existing members and exciting opportunities to provide access for the next generation of golfers.

“It is proactive and forward-thinking, and provides a clear future for one of Scotland’s oldest clubs.”

As well as introducing a new ‘Pathway’ category for those looking to take up golf, the club has also announced three new classifications for those aged between 18 and 32 to help the transition from youth golf to those playing in their 30s. More importantly, the club has granted free membership to the children and grandchildren of full members.

BENEFITS

Rankin added: “This means parents and grandparents can spend time with their children introducing them to the great game of golf and the benefits of being part of a club at no additional cost. This is a bold and exciting move.”

The course, meanwhile, has undergone extensive development, which has returned all the greenside and fairway bunkers to their original size, and removed and controlled extensive areas of gorse.

Additional changes to the fourth, 12th and 16th holes have resulted in one of the most important development projects ever in the club’s 200-year history.

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