| CRAIBSTONE
GOLF CENTRE DEVELOPMENT:
SAC TURNS FIRST TURF FOR NEW CLUBHOUSE The
latest stage in the development of SAC's Craibstone Golf Centre in Aberdeen will
be marked in a ceremony at Parkhead, Craibstone Estate on Friday 21st May at 1.30pm
when Mr Guthrie Paterson, Vice Principal of SAC, will turn the first turf in preparation
for the construction of the new clubhouse. Craibstone Golf Centre, which has been
part-funded by a grant of over £517,000 from the Scottish Sports Council,
is due to open later this year. The
turf cutting ceremony will also be attended by Mr Martin Bowie of the Scottish
Sports Council; Mr Graeme Bowie and Mr George Slater of the Contractors, Banchory
Contractors and Mr Richard Miller, Acting Secretary, Craibstone Golf Centre. Commenting
on the development, Mr Guthrie Paterson said, "SAC is delighted to have been
successful in obtaining the Sports Lottery Funding which has enable us to utilise
ground no our Craibstone site to provide this facility for the local community.
We are also pleased that we have been able to contribute Sac's expertise in land
management through Sac's business unit, Greens of Scotland, who have designed
the course. Close co-operation between Greens of Scotland and the contractors
is ensuring that this new course presents a challenging but fair test of golf
for all standards of play. The construction of the clubhouse is the final stage
in the development." Mr
Allan Alstead, Chief Executive of the Scottish Sports Council commented, "The
new course at Craibstone Golf Centre will provide a great addition to the growing
provisions for golf in the North East of Scotland. I hope that facilities like
these can act as a springboard from which developing national talent is launched,
as well as providing a source of exercise and recreation for all ages and abilities." 172
acres of ground varying from arable to hill land have been utilised for the Craibstone
Golf Centre development which consists of an 18 hole golf course, a practice /
demonstration area for players and the clubhouse. The
course has been built on land which is undulating, interesting and bordered by
scrub land, heathered areas and tree belts. | 
