Carnoustie can’t afford to say farewell to the greatest event in golf

the open: Row over readmissions policy puts locals at odds with the R&A

‘Well here it is, my time has come Won’t be long, I’ll be moving on I can’t complain, I’ve had my day Now I’ll be on my way.’ Hopefully I’ll not be using it any time soon, but that’s the opening of the cheerio tune for my final journey, courtesy of Irish band the Saw Doctors.

As cheerio tunes go, it’s a bit of a toe-tapper, much like Lord Charlie Lyell’s choice of the theme to Z Cars which raised more than a few smiles in Kirrie Old Parish for his final farewell a year ago this week.

From County Galway, the Saw Doctors have gained a loyal worldwide following and they play to big crowds, in big venues, and in big cities.

But they also come to places like Birnam and its marvellous arts centre for a raucous village gig, prompting as potent a memory as any stadium sell-out.

Experiences like that, or finding anything from a great wee bar to the best scone you’ve ever had, encourage folk back to villages and towns.

And with the arrival of the world’s greatest golf tournament on the summer horizon, Carnoustie’s coffee shops, boozers, restaurants and everything in-between will be hoping the sun shines and the tills jingle.

But there’s a growing row that Open season is going to be a closed shop and it’s driving a wedge between the community and the game’s governing body.

The R&A blazers plan a no readmissions policy for the event, meaning that once you’re in the gate, you’re in to stay.

It’s aimed, they say, at clamping down on the mis-selling of tickets and non-official hospitality.

Critics are furious the global influx will be deprived the opportunity to nip away from the action for a while, dig out the gems on the doorstep of the Championship course and dodge what many consider exorbitant prices at major sporting events these days.

There must also be a long-game concern that the divisions could potentially throw the Angus links’ prized position on the Open rota into question.

What a disaster it would be if the R&A said they’ll be on their way.

Picture: PA. Scotland’s Paul Lawrie won the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999.