Talks between The Glen Golf Club and American investment group The Ancient Links Golf Company over a $10 million deal have ended.
It was a golf club dispute so bitter that players refused to be in the clubhouse together, while there were rumors it had ended decades-long friendships. Now, though, members of The Glen have voted in favor of withdrawing from an American-led takeover.
Officials at the picturesque clifftop club in North Berwick – roughly 25 miles along Scotland’s Golf Coast from Edinburgh and believed to be James Braid’s first design in 1894 – had been in talks with investment group The Ancient Links Golf Company regarding a $10 million deal.
But it quickly divided The Glen’s membership.
One group, calling itself ‘Friends of The Glen’, highlighted concerns that Ancient Links would eventually seek a return on its investment by restricting member access in favor of tourists and an increase in visitor fees. The website, Save The Glen, was created, while the ‘Keepers of The Glen’ also released a protest song.
In opposition was a faction group called ‘The Silenced of The Glen’ which, according to The Herald, accused opponents to the deal of creating the division by intimidating members and behaving as a “patriarchy”. The group also said members of Save The Glen had not taken the time to fully research the impact at other clubs Ancient Links had taken over.
Those include Forfar Golf Club, which has had its 15th hole, known as ‘Braid’s Best’, restored to its original layout, and Scotscraig, where the clubhouse has undergone extensive renovations.
Now, though in a Special General Meeting called by the club’s management, The Glen’s membership has voted 273 to 221 against continuing talks with the investment group led by American businessman Douglas Cifu, whose other sporting interests include part ownership of NFL team the Florida Panthers.
Jonathan Brown, The Glen’s managing secretary, said: “This is an internal matter for the club and its members, and should not be a debate or conversation for the wider public.”
A statement from Friends of the Glen added: “Hopefully this will bring an end to this distraction and allow the members to plan for a future controlled by them.”
The group also hopes to “bring the club back together in time and recreate the atmosphere that The Glen has built up over the years where members and visitors alike can enjoy golf at our beautiful course.”
The statement concluded that it will also “send a message” to both Ancient Links members of other clubs where the investment company is “attempting to sell their services”.
The Glen is 83rd in TG’s Top 100 Golf Courses in Scotland ranking, in which it is described as featuring “breathtaking views, some funky holes and some difficult questions to answer” as well as being “Instagram-worthy on so many holes”.