The golfing world next month will marvel at TV pictures of Castle Stuart and new venue for the Barclay’s Scottish Open.
But for record crowds set to descend on the course their views around the acclaimed Gil Hanse designed course are going to be spoilt by the BBC.
Stunning Castle Stuart set to be spoilt by BBC TV towers
Despite much discussion, the BBC seem intent on erecting unsightly scaffolding towers slap bang behind many greens on the course located to the east of Inverness.
While TV towers are essential, their placement directly behind a lot of greens will horribly spoil already stunning and uninterrupted views all along the Moray Firth include blocking out Fort George and Banchory Point to the east and the Moray foreshore and Inverness and the Kessock Bridge to the west.
Tour staff met with the BBC’s Paul Davis recently at Castle Stuart but with officials obviously very far from pleased with progress.
A spokesman said: “We appreciate the worldwide TV coverage the BBC and SKY will give to Castle Stuart and the Inverness region but we also don’t won’t to see a fabulous course like Castle Stuart spoilt by ugly scaffolding behind many of the greens.
“We’ve spoken at length with the BBC but their director who walked the course with us seemed totally unconcerned and remained adamant TV towers will be placed right behind many greens.”
It’s the wish of officials that many of the essential towers be placed to the side of greens thus not to ruin views just as they do at many seaside venues including Pebble Beach.
The Castle Stuart holes in question include the 4th, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 16th while a TV tower right behind the 4th green would block out Castle Stuart itself
However Tournament Director, Peter Adams indicated he was still in discussion with Davis and was hopeful a solution could be reached to appease both the BBC and tournament officials.
Coverage of the Barclay’s Scottish Open will be only the BBC’s third golf tournament in a year.
They covered last August’s Women’s British Open and were then slammed heavily in most quarters for their dismal coverage of last fortnight’s BMW PGA Championship.
A leading SKY Sports commentator remarked: “It makes you wonder the BBC’s commitment to big time golf that they’ve only covered two events in 12 months.
“And then when they cover the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth we see Lee Westwood play his tee shot at 17 on the last day but we don’t see Westwood again till he’s putting out for bogey.”
