John McGinn: Footballer joins fight to save golf course

Having helped Scotland qualify for this summer’s European Championships, John McGinn is now lending his support to a golf course in its fight for survival.

The Aston Villa midfielder has joined the campaign to save Dalmuir golf course in Clydebank, near Glasgow.

McGinn was raised in Clydebank and was dismayed to learn that the 18-hole track is facing the threat of possible closure by West Dunbartonshire Council, the local authority that operates it.

“Gutted to read this,” wrote the 62 times capped playmaker.

In the same post, the talismanic 29-year-old shared a link to a petition calling for the course, which opened in 1928, to be saved.

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The campaign has attracted more than 1,500 signatures since it was launched this morning.

bunkered.co.uk reported earlier today that the council sent a letter last weekend to golfers at Dalmuir advising that it is considering reducing the size of the course or shutting it completely.

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.

“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.”

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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.

News of Dalmuir’s uncertain future continues a trend of misery for golfers who rely upon municipal 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 slashed 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