Golf resort drops drink discount amid licence confusion

IT MUST feel like landing a shot in the bunker after you've retired to the 19th hole.

Golfers at the exclusive Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club are about to be hit where it hurts most – in their wallets.

The four-star country club – which charges almost 1,400 a year for membership – is scrapping its 20 per cent drinks discount for members.

Management have decided to drop the offer amid fears they would break new licensing laws by encouraging irresponsible drinking.

Members will have to pay full prices from 16 April, meaning some pints will cost them more than 4.

The move comes amid widespread confusion about what can be defined as an offer that "promotes irresponsible drinking".

Drinks industry leaders say council licensing officers have been warning bars not to offer discount cards or loyalty cards.

However, the Scottish Government today confirmed that golf or other private member clubs would not be breaking the rules if they offered discounts to members.

Building surveyor David Hastings, 61, who is a Dalmahoy member, said:

"I can't see how this would be relevant to licensing laws trying to reduce drink-related problems. You don't get antisocial behaviour in there."

No-one at the club was available to discuss the reasons behind the move in detail, but

in a letter to members, the hotel's general manager Alistair Kinchin said he had been "served a notice by The Scottish Licence (sic] Board explaining that recent changes to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 means it is no longer possible for us to offer discount on alcoholic beverages".

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer And Pub Association, said: "LSOs (licensing standards officers] in Edinburgh have been doing the rounds and are having issues with discount cards and loyalty cards.

"Our view, and the view of lawyers, is that there is nothing to stop you having discount cards."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "All premises, including members' clubs, must abide by the mandatory conditions dealing with the pricing of alcohol and irresponsible drinks promotions."

The city council said it was unable to discuss the individual talks licensing officer may have had with license holders. A council spokesman added: "If a promotion is brought to the board's attention and the complainers aver that a particular promotion is "irresponsible", the board would require to determine whether or not to hold a hearing and to consider the review of the licence."