Machrihanish club members approve plans
Members of one of the world’s most historic golf clubs voted heavily in favour of a clubhouse design by Glasgow firm G1 architects.
Machrihanish Golf Club’s clubhouse was completely burned down in a devastating fire on December 19 last year, which also destroyed the family home of its steward.
A club extraordinary general meeting was held on March 1 in the Argyll Arms Hotel, attended by 137 members, of whom 117 had voting rights.
The club committee put forward proposals by Glasgow architects G1 and 109 members voted in favour of the principle design, five against and there were three abstentions.
At the meeting a sub-committee, which will administer the club’s side of the project and see it through the two-year build period, was formally announced.
The sub-committee is the current captain Calum MacMillan, vice-captain Willie Ross, Keith Crawford and Willie Livingstone.
G1 will project manage and employ the necessary professionals to see the project through.
Speaking exclusively to the Courier, Calum MacMillan said: ‘We hope to be open by or before December 9, 2020, as the club has a two business interruption insurance policy.
‘The architects are already working day, night and at weekends.
‘In the new clubhouse everyone will be in together. It is the perfect opportunity to make everyone feel part of the club, with ladies, gents and juniors in one clubhouse.
‘It will have a lift and accessible toilets and showers. In future, for every 20 car parking spaces we will require one accessible space.
‘We hope to have access at the front of the building.
‘The current design is a principle one but it is open to change, the club’s constitution says that if there are substantial changes to the clubhouse or course there must be an EGM.’
A portable unit village has been erected behind the ladies’ clubhouse paid for through the club’s insurance and it has 260 lockers, changing facilities, an office and a meeting room.
Mr MacMillan added: ‘We would like to give particular thanks to McFadyens Contractors for their professional work and their quotation at a very competitive price. We are constructing a temporary car park across the back wall which McFadyens will start in the near future.
‘We also want to thank the Argyll Arms for hosting the EGM and G1 Architects for their excellent presentation.’
Next Saturday the Machrihanish 2019 season kicks off with the Peace Cup, a medal play for gents, ladies and juniors.
The club’s annual general meeting is on Friday April 5 at the Argyll Arms Hotel, Campbeltown.