SAVED! Closure-threatened Hollandbush granted reprieve

One of Scotland’s closure-threatened municipal golf courses has been saved.

Hollandbush golf course had been staring down the barrel of closure after it was revealed South Lanarkshire Council, which operates the facility, was exploring ways of trying to plug a black hole in its finances.

However, at yesterday’s council meeting, a proposal to support the course through increased investment in the Community Fightback Fund was supported instead, much to the delight of club officials.

A post on the club’s Facebook page read: “On behalf of the committee, a huge thank you to our golf/social members, starters staff and greenkeepers for their dedication to Hollandbush.

• Opinion: Ignorant councillors are a huge threat to golf’s grassroots

• John McGinn: Footballer joins fight to save golf course

“To our communities from the bottom of our hearts we thank you all. We will be working now to move forward with the help of SLC to make Hollandbush bigger and better.”

Hollandbush was one of multiple municipal golf courses threatened with closure.

Uncertainty remains over the future of the two courses at Caird Park in Dundee – the last remaining public courses in Scotland’s fourth biggest city – whilst a petition to save Dalmuir in Clydebank has attracted almost 4,600 signatures and the support of major-winning caddie Craig Connelly and Aston Villa and Scotland midfielder John McGinn.

However, there is hope that the decision to save Hollandbush will help persuade councillors responsible for Caird Park and Dalmuir to keep their respective facilities open, too.

• Sergio Garcia outlines plan for Ryder Cup return

• LIV Golf star earns spot in Open Championship

Scottish Conservatives councillor Ross Lambie called the decision to spare Hollandbush a “loud, strong and public commitment from the council.”

“I am delighted to see the hard work of the Hollandbush committee, led by Mags Cathcart, paying off,” he added. “I can’t thank them enough. They have fought tirelessly and left no stone uncovered.

“It has given us councillors the ammunition required to effect change within the big council machine.

“I suspect there is still a lot of work ahead to get the club on a sure footing for years to come. Stay tuned to the club who will need your support going forward.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor