Anger over changes to greenkeepers’ hours

Golfers at Dundee's two municipal golf courses will be forced to play on "unkempt" courses due to a change in greenkeepers' working hours, it has been claimed.

The comments - branded as 'misleading' by Leisure and Culture Dundee - come as city golfers also said that standards at Caird Park and Camperdown golf courses continue to fall because of staff cutbacks.

Helen Meldrum, of the Dundee branch of the GMB union, said: "Golfers are set to face unkempt public courses from this week at Caird Park and Camperdown."

"A cynical move by the management at Leisure and Culture in Dundee means that green keepers will not start work until 8am."

Ms Meldrum said that management had been trying to change greenkeepers' terms and conditions without appropriate consultation for some time now.

She said: "Due to the GMB union contending that appropriate consultation has not taken place, the workers have received a letter demanding they start work at 8.00am rather than the 6.30am start they have operated for many years, with the added threat of disciplinary action if they do not comply."

"The union believes that the move is a cynical one, because LACD has itself accepted that an 8.00am start is not practical for the upkeep of the courses."

"Our members want to ensure that courses are fit for purpose and by having the greenkeepers begin later than golfers start will be detrimental to the golfing experience."

Tom Alexander, 71, from Fintry, has golfed at Caird Park for more than 60 years.

He said he was very disappointed at the actions of Leisure and Culture Dundee.

Tom added: "The greenkeepers here all work hard, but if their hours are changed there is a limit to what they can do.

You can read the full article from the Dundee Evening Telegraph HERE