Popular Scottish golf course closes after bankruptcy

Hirsel Golf Club has confirmed its closure after filing for bankruptcy.

The club, in the historic Scottish Borders town of Coldstream, posted the news on its Facebook page on Wednesday.

“Following our AGM this evening, the Hirsel Golf Club is closed,” it read. “No bookings can now be taken.

“Anyone with future golf bookings will hear directly from the Club.”

According to former members of Hirsel, the club was forced into bankruptcy after increasing costs and declining membership.

“I’m a member there,” Jamie Nicolson wrote on Facebook. “Or was.

“Basically, the last couple of years there has been a significant increase in running costs, materials, rents to landowners, mixed in with a big decline in members has made for horrible reading.

• Scottish golf club to get new championship course

• Netflix issues huge Happy Gilmore 2 update

“Long story short, they held their annual AGM last night and proposed voting on filing for bankruptcy with immediate effect.

“Sad to see the place go.”

Frank Ryan added: “I was a member. [We had an] email this morning saying they are going down the bankruptcy route following the AGM. Deemed not viable to continue.

“Such a shame. Glorious course and location.”

The Ladies Captain at Hirsel, Karen Hume, told bunkered.co.uk that it’s a ‘tragedy’ for golf in the region.

“The drop in membership has just been too big a drop this year,” Hume said.

• ‘Disaster’ at Solheim Cup as furious fans left outside gates

• Patrick Reed set for DP World Tour return

“It’s a huge loss, the club is very popular and the course has been in fantastic condition this year. Never have we had such a great course, so it’s such a tragedy for the Borders and the members.”

The nearby Minto Golf Club, in Hawick, has offered former members of Hirsel somewhere to continue their membership.

“Following the sad news that Hirsel Golf Club has closed, we would like to offer the members of the club the opportunity to complete their season at Minto,” a Facebook post read.

Hume insisted the support from local clubs has been ‘unbelievable’ but said it’s too soon to look elsewhere.

“None of us know what we’re going to do, we’re still processing what’s happened. I think everyone is too shocked and devastated to make any decision yet.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.