THE first golf course in the world to gain Royal patronage is being allowed to deteriorate under council mismanagement, it has been claimed.
The North Inch course in Perth, which currently runs at a loss, is thought to be older than St Andrews and is only 20 miles from the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup.
It is expected to be thrust into the spotlight along with other golfing venues in the area when the likes of Rory Mcllroy and Tiger Woods arrive at Gleneagles, but local players believe North Inch is not up to standard.
The first recording of golf being played on the Old Course at St Andrews dates back to 1574.
However, Robin Valentine, captain of Perth Merchants Golf Club, believes it is Perth which should hold the title, after discovering King James IV played golf in the town more than 70 years earlier.
Mr Valentine said there were fears that Perth and Kinross Council have missed out on a chance to promote the course during the Ryder Cup. Mr Valentine added: "Perth can boast five golf courses within the city and it would have been very easy to produce a City of Golf package for visitors.
"The problem is that the local council might not want to draw too much attention to North Inch. This is its own municipal course that it has been trying to off-load. The council refuse to carry out vital basic maintenance of their own golf course."
A council spokesman said: ""Perth and Kinross Council, like all other local authorities, has faced significant pressures on its budgets in recent years and this looks likely to continue into the future. A review of options is currently underway, with the aim of reducing costs and increasing the revenue generated by the course."
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