Scottish Golf makes plea to operators of closure-threatened course

The chief executive of Scottish Golf has urged the local authority operating Dalmuir Golf Course to engage with them before making any hasty decision on its future.

Robbie Clyde has told bunkered.co.uk that the governing body for grassroots golf in Scotland stands ready and willing to support West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) in finding a workable solution for the closure-threatened Clydebank course.

A petition calling for the near 100-year-old course to stay open has attracted more than 3,500 signatures in less than two weeks, as well as the support of current European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, former skipper Paul McGinley, major champion and Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose, and Scotland’s current No.1 golfer Robert MacIntyre.

Despite the strong swell of support, councillors will meet on Wednesday to discuss how – indeed, if – they intend to operate the course going forward.

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These options include keeping the course opening but increase membership and green fee rates; reducing it from 18 holes to 12; and closing it completely.

The latter option is of most concern to Clyde, who insists he and his team are on-hand to support WDC should they decide to keep the course open.

“We have reached out to West Dunbartonshire Council and would welcome the opportunity to engage with them to look at what solutions might be available for Dalmuir,” said Clyde.

“We have a team of experts who understand the challenges that golf clubs face. We would be happy to work with their with their teams.

“Municipal courses are every bit as important as any other golf course in the country and provide, for many people, the first opportunity to play a golf course.

“Equally, we understand the pressures that many local authorities are feeling but, as it relates to operating golf courses, we are able to offer the tools, resource and expertise they need.”

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Clyde cites the example of another public course, Hollandbush, as an example of how Scottish Golf can make a tangible difference.

“We emailed South Lanarkshire Council this time last year when it was discussing the closure of Hollandbush,” he added. “The council leader called me later the same day looking to find out more.

“Mags Cathcart, the club manager, and her colleagues there really deserve all the credit for what they’ve done but we worked with them on their business plan and the community asset transfer that went through successfully last week.

“Likewise, Winterfield in East Lothian. We’ve supported them on their own community asset transfer, too.

“Where we’ve been able to get engagement with local authorities, with those that are involved with clubs or courses facing closure or other pressures, we’ve been able to help deliver positive outcomes, so we would very much welcome the opportunity to engage with West Dunbartonshire Council on the future of Dalmuir.”

Sign the petition!

Add your signature to the campaign to keep Dalmuir Golf Course open. Sign here.

Michael McEwan is bunkered's Head of Content 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.

Head of Content