A LONG-STANDING member of Musselburgh Links has called for a manager to be appointed to run the golf course – one of the oldest in the world – after a membership surge amidst the Covid-19 crisis left players unable to get games.

Ian Colville, who has been a season ticket holder for about 50 years, also hit out at a new internet booking system which was introduced, claiming it had attracted “widespread criticism”.

From April last year to this month, the nine-hole course – an original Open Championship venue – had 729 members – an increase of 254 members on the 2019-2020 season, when there were 475 members of the club.

Mr Colville said that times were fully booked for seven days ahead “within 30 seconds of going live” at 7am on the internet booking system.

He added that this excluded players with no internet access.

Mr Colville claimed that there were numerous problems with tee times, adding: “There were too many season tickets issued in the last year, making it extremely difficult to book a game.”

He said enjoyleisure, which runs the municipal course, was now planning to cap numbers at 500 and, at present, season ticket holders of under two years couldn’t reapply. This, he claimed, would affect players who had been, for example, season ticket holders at the course in the past and rejoined last year.

He claimed that, although enjoyleisure acknowledged emails, it did not reply to suggestions or points made.

Mr Colville mooted the idea of a waiting list, as happened at other golf courses, adding: “They need to appoint a person with experience of golf course management or East Lothian Council could take over and appoint a golf course manager.”

Bill Axon, chief executive of enjoyleisure, said: “In all our years of managing the golf course, we have never witnessed such a demand for golf as there has been in the last 12 months.

“Since the resumption of golf in May 2020, enjoyleisure has witnessed a surge in demand for tee time bookings and membership requests at both Musselburgh Links, The Old Golf Course, and Winterfield Golf Course, Dunbar.

“As one of the first sporting and leisure activities to resume, and to continue without significant restrictions throughout the pandemic, the popularity and demand for tee times at both courses has been unprecedented. ”

He added: “In July 2020, the introduction of an online booking system was welcomed by members and has proven to be invaluable, both in terms of managing bookings and providing a safe and accessible means of gaining access to the course amidst current social distancing restrictions.

“As we have come into the lighter nights and longer days, demand for tee times has once again soared.

“Following an upgrade on the booking system, enjoyleisure was able to address concerns raised by customers by amending the release time for bookings seven days in advance from midnight to 7am. At a more accessible time, the option to book online once again increased in popularity.

“To ensure there is fair accessibility of tee times for all, a number of tee times each hour are now only available to be booked via telephone.”

He added: “As we approach the start of the new season, from April 1, enjoyleisure has contacted all existing members advising them of the rejoining process.

“Currently a cap of 500 members has been placed at the course in order to maintain the quality of the course and offer fair and equal access – this will be kept under review. A priority rebooking period is currently in place for our long-standing members”

Remaining season tickets went on public sale on Monday.

Mr Axon added: “enjoyleisure has had management responsibility for the daily operations of Musselburgh Links, the Old Golf Course, since its conception as a leisure trust in 2009, and for many years prior to this under East Lothian Council.

“Although the number of tee times has not reduced, social distancing restrictions have halved the opportunities for golfers to gain access to the course.

“We are very much looking forward to the further easing of restrictions and being able to continue offering fantastic local leisure facilities which are being well utilised by the local community.

“Customer feedback is incredibly important to enjoyleisure. We value our customers’ opinions and suggestions, and where it is possible to do so, we investigate their feasibility and apply where appropriate.

“Unfortunately, we cannot always put suggestions into practice but every effort is made to communicate this back to the customer.”

Musselburgh Links hosted the Open Championship on six occasions between 1874 and 1889. Documentary evidence proves that golf was played on the course as early as March 2, 1672, although Mary, Queen of Scots reputedly played there in 1567.