Hospitality company accused of golf fraud

A hospitality firm has been accused of selling almost £40,000 worth of bogus packages for the Open golf championship in Carnoustie.

Alliance Racing Club Limited, of Regent Street, Glasgow, allegedly defrauded seven different firms in Dundee, Angus and elsewhere in the months leading up to the 2018 event.

It is alleged that the company told the businesses they would be treated to “luxury” hospitality within a tent next to the 18th hole of the golf course.

However, prosecutors allege that Alliance Racing Club Limited failed to provide entry tickets to the tournament.

They are also accused of hosting the hospitality on an area of wasteland away from the course.

No plea was made on behalf of the company when the case called at Dundee Sheriff Court.

The first charge alleges that between September 1-30 2017, the company engaged in “misleading advertising” towards Advance Financial Planning, Inverurie.

This was allegedly by calling their director and informing them that they were officially authorised to sell hospitality packages for the Open.

Alliance Racing Club Limited allegedly made the aforementioned assurances before it was established that the package did not include an entry ticket and that the hospitality tent was off-site.

Court papers allege that Elgin-based McDonald and Munro Electrical Engineers paid £12,604 for a similar package during the same period.

Process Plus, of Dunfermline, and Clyde Scaffolding, based in Kilsyth, are both alleged to have paid £3,588 for the same package over the same period.

Between September 1 and October 31 2017, PD Cars, in Mackenzie Street, Carnoustie, allegedly paid £2,758 for the package. WRB Gas, of Dundee’s North Ellen Street, allegedly handed over £3,946.90. A final charge alleges that Alliance Racing Club Limited made the same promise to WBS Keillor Limited. The Pitkerro Industrial Estate firm allegedly paid £4,305.60 on February 22 2018.

The case was continued for further examination by Sheriff John Rafferty ahead of a further court date being set.