Vogrie Golf Course on verge of closure

A petition to save a much-loved nine-hole golf course in Midlothian has attracted almost 500 signatures.

The 2,530-yard par-33 Vogrie Golf Course,
situated within Vogrie Country Park six miles south of the Edinburgh
city bypass, is reportedly due to close on April 1 with the land
returned to a green grass area by Midlothian Council.

According to an Equality Impact Assessment of Budget Proposals that
can be found online and is dated October 5, 2016, the closure is being
put forward to meet the council’s overall budget deficit.

It also adds: “Despite trying different ways to increase patronage,
this has proved difficult in part due to the general decline in the
numbers playing golf and the readily available suitable alternatives.”

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It is understood there are plans to privately lease out the land to be used as a caravan park.

Author of the petition,
Scott Faulds, said in its description: “Use of the golf course site as a
caravan park does not respect the character of Vogrie Country Park and
will result in a detrimental visual impact on the character of the
landscape.”

Commenting on the petition, Sue Robertson from Dalkeith said: “Golf
is the best exercise I get during a busy week and I like that I do not
have to travel very far to play.”

Ivor Dunn from Prestonpans added: “Bad enough every spare bit of land
getting houses. Now they want to take away leisure facilities in a
beautiful country park for caravans.”

Vogrie Country Park is a popular venue for families, particularly in
the summer, with an adventure play area, garden centre, barbecue sites
and woodland paths also on-site.

bunkered.co.uk has contacted Midlothian Council for a comment and is awaiting a response.

Vogrie Golf Course on verge of closure

Have you played Vogrie Golf Course before? If so, what did you make of it? Let us know in the ‘Comments’ section below.