Row erupts over the cost of golf

A residents' season ticket for 2008 will now cost £165

A row has begun after the cost of a season ticket for playing a round of golf at St Andrews rose by £30.

The yearly pass for the Links courses is going up to £165. Previous annual increases have averaged £5.

The St Andrews Links Trust has said the rise includes access to a new seventh course which opens in June.

But one user, Gordon Murray, has said the trust is holding golfers to ransom by forcing them to use the new Castle Course.

'No consultation'

The increase applies to the full adult residents' ticket for 2008 which has come into effect this month.

Mr Murray said: "Many people are very angry at this decision. What justification can they have for such an increase?

"I agree that the cost of a season ticket is still good value for money and still represents cheap golf. However, it is the principle of the whole matter. What will they put the cost up to next season?

To get seven quality golf courses for £165 is still value for money, we think Mike Woodcock

"The trustees took this decision without any consultation whatsoever with the local golf clubs."

The trust which runs the courses has insisted the price has increased to reflect the extra course which golfers will be able to use.

The £10m Castle Course, which offers cliff top views over St Andrews, is scheduled to open on 30 June.

It has been estimated that 25,000 rounds will be played on the new facility each year.

Trust spokesman Mike Woodcock told the BBC Scotland news website: "To get seven quality golf courses for £165 is still value for money, we think.

"The views of local golf clubs are fed to the committees who decide the charges."

More than 200,000 rounds of golf are played on the existing six public golf courses each year.