There was a big outcry at the time by the local golfing fraternity but as usual the Dundee City Councillors did not listen.
Camperdown Golf Course was well known throughout the U.K. and beyond as a challenging golf course.
Two months ago there was another outcry when Dundee City Council in their infinite wisdom decided to restrict the number of season tickets sold for play at Caird Park golf course. A lot of golfers were unable to purchase a season ticket thanks to the council shutting down Camperdown golf course.
A Council spokesperson stated that more season tickets for Caird Park golf course would be released in a couple of months time. Obviously the powers that be’ in Dundee City Council know nothing about playing golf in Scotland where it will be halfway through the main golfing season by the time Dundee City Council decide to put more season tickets on sale.
The Dundee City Councillors should apologise for shutting Camperdown golf course and reopen the full 18 holes instead of a 9 hole golf course, an 18 hole putting green and a ‘state of the art’ 20 bay driving range.
There are already golf driving ranges at Ballumbie golf course, Piperdam and next to the A90 Dundee to Perth dual carriageway shortly before the Horn restaurant.
Therefore in my opinion there is no need for another golf driving range at Camperdown Park.
Thing is, the golf courses are managed by Leisure&Culture Dundee, an arms length organisation for VAT purposes. They are looking to let the golf facilities to a commercial organisation so it is no longer a cost to be borne by council taxes etc.
You could say the same thing about the Waterfront development which was started in 2001 with it lasting 30 years. In 2001 the V & A building was already shown in the lavish document produced by Dundee City Council. Since then a building which nobody wanted has been constructed on Site 6 and the Slessor Gardens has been constructed. All the other sites earmarked for development are lying empty including the 400 berth marina at Victoria Dock which last year was been using for water skiing over jumps.
Goodness knows how much public money has been squandered by the three partners of the Waterfront Development namely Dundee City Council, the Scottish Government and the European Union.
Fundamentally different. The waterfront development is for the benefit all the people of Dundee (I wish I believed that). Camperdown golf course is for the very small number of people of Dundee and the surrounding area that play golf - if the council's spending money it should be spent on everyone not just the old and rich.
There are several artisan golf clubs.
Perth Artisan golf club and Arbroath Artisan golf club before it merged with the ‘toffs’ Arbroath Golf Club.
Paying money to sit in Dens Park screaming and shouting at people kicking a football about could also be classed as pointless.