Members set to complete Loch Lomond buy-out deal

A MEMBERS' buy-out at Loch Lomond Golf Club is on course to be completed next week, with a spokesman confirming yesterday that it was unlikely the Barclays Scottish Open would be returning to the venue for the foreseeable future.

The exclusive club, which was put up for sale at an estimated price of 100 million when former owner Lyle Anderson lost control of it after failing to re-negotiate his debts with the Bank of Scotland in 2008, is set to be purchased by a new company, Loch Lomond Members Club.

The company has raised the money required to buy the club and a deal could be finalised within the next few days, with Sir Nigel Rudd, the BAA chairman and a club member, having been appointed to spearhead a new board that will oversee its running.

"We are delighted to have reached our goal in such a short time frame, especially as this has been achieved over the Christmas period," said a spokesman for the members' executive committee. "The support we have received from members has been exceptional and highlights what great affection there is for the club. The goal now is to move forward with our plans to consolidate Loch Lomond's reputation as one of the foremost private members' clubs in the world."

Loch Lomond has staged a European Tour event every year since 1996 and, for the last nine years, has been the popular home of the Barclays Scottish Open. Now that event is believed to be heading for a links course this year - Castle Stuart near Inverness is the strong favourite - and it appears it won't be back at Loch Lomond in the foreseeable future.

"We believe that the Barclays Scottish Open will move to a links course," added the spokesman. "This is absolutely fine by us, since Loch Lomond's reputation for golfing excellence is already established and we now want to concentrate on producing the best club environment for our members."