Scottish golf club is saved by its local community

A golf course in West Dunbartonshire that was earmarked for closure in March has been rescued. 

Dalmuir Golf Course will be leased by West Dunbartonshire Council to a local community organisation for £1.

Earlier this year the council made the decision to shut the golf course in order to save money, but officers were allowed to explore options for a community asset transfer or lease with groups currently using it.

The venue’s membership has fallen by over 30 percent since 2021 and, as a result, the council subsidised the course by £145,000, at roughly £805 per member.

A new group for Dalmuir has since been set up with the founding members representing all four anchor clubs namely Clydebank Overtoun Golf Club, Radnor Park Golf Club, Clydebank Seniors Golf Club and Kilbowie Golf Club which, in total, have around 180 annual memberships and around 5,000 day-visitors to the course.

The group, although new in its constitution, has provided enough evidence that within its membership they have considerable voluntary sector and golfing experience, with each member demonstrating commitment to the successful operation of a community-led facility.

They have also been supported in creating its constitution by West Dunbartonshire Council for voluntary services and are in the process of securing charitable recognition.

Councillor David McBride said: “I think it really shows you as well that there was a real capacity there within the local membership of the course and this is something that I think potentially should have happened prior to now so that the golf club could possibly be thriving now.

“We know in recent times that the membership has reduced and golf clubs are struggling all over Scotland.

“Golf is a difficult and expensive sport to take up and quite often you are introduced to it by perhaps someone within the family so I think having this at the heart of the community, who want to make sure it thrives, can only be a good thing and we will certainly see more young people playing golf.”

Councillor Clare Steel praised the achievements of the new golf organisation and highlighted the power of community action in a difficult situation.

She added: “As a local councillor for this ward I feel that it would be remiss of me not to say how much of a good news story this is for everyone involved but especially for the community and the golfers.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to look at community assets that people get so much from but certainly with the help of all the council officers we have obviously found a solution for everyone involved.

“I would like to congratulate everyone and I think that the dedication and the initiative have not only preserved a cherished local space but also demonstrated the power of community action in the face of funding challenges.

“It is a great achievement and I think it is a really proud moment and I think everyone who came forward within the group to take this over should be really proud of themselves – not just for today but for future generations.”

The lease is expected to be for an initial period of three years.