Fury as yet ANOTHER Scottish golf course is lined up for closure

With Hollandbush potentially set to learn its fate tomorrow, and Dundee city councillors weighing up the prospect of taking away the city’s last two public courses, another local authority in the ‘Home of Golf’ is looking into closing its only muni.

West Dunbartonshire Council sent a letter over the weekend to golfers at Dalmuir golf course advising that it is considering reducing the size of the course or shutting it completely.

As first reported by the Glasgow Times, the letter states that the council’s income is “significantly lower than the cost of delivering its services”, adding: “The council is operating in an extremely challenging financial environment.

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“Rapidly reducing budgets mean the options available to us [WDC] to continue to provide services in the same way are limited, and we must take action to save money while still delivering the vital services our residents rely on.”

The authority is set to hold a meeting on March 6 to set its budget where a raft of money-saving measures, including the potential closure of the golf course, will be discussed.

Opened almost a century ago in 1928, Dalmuir is a much-loved and well-used municipal golf course, with veteran caddie Craig Connelly – currently on the bag of Martin Kaymer – amongst its fans.

Its par-3 14th hole – “Gully” – is one of the most famous and challenging short holes in the country.

Nearby golf club Clydebank Overtoun has launched a petition calling for Dalmuir to be saved, saying its closure would be “detrimental” to the local community.

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“It offers a place where all residents no matter age, race, or gender can not only enjoy golf and the positive effects it can have for your physical well being, but is also a place that offers social gatherings to those who otherwise would not be able to do so,” it adds.

“Dalmuir Golf Course has been there for the residents of West Dunbartonshire for almost 100 years, bringing people from all over Scotland to play. Taking this away would be a great loss to the community.

“By signing this petition, it will let the Council know just how much this means to not only the residents of West Dunbartonshire but also to the west of Scotland.”

News of Dalmuir’s uncertain future continues a trend of misery for golfers who rely upon such courses.

Hollandbush in South Lanarkshire has been lined up for closure with the two courses at Caird Park in Dundee also rumoured to be on the chopping block.

Proposed changes to the James Braid-designed Belleisle have been met with anger by golfers in Ayrshire, whilst Glasgow saw its public provision cut from six courses to only one nine-hole track just a few years ago.

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