A GOLF course dating back to 1928 could be saved by its West Dunbartonshire community as some of the sport's biggest names give their backing.
Dalmuir Golf Course faces closure this year as the West Dunbartonshire Council voted to axe the course’s funding as part of a cost-cutting measure to plug a £7.7m budget gap.
However, Clydebank and Overtoun Golf Club, who operate on the site, are planning on taking over the 18-hole municipal course.
The club’s rescue bid involved a petition against the council’s funding decision which gathered more than 4000 signatures.
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Some of the world’s top players have also signed the petition, including Scotland's number one player Robert MacIntyre (below), Justin Rose, and honorary club member and Ryder Cup caddy Craig Connolly.
(Image: Malcolm Mackenzie/PA Wire)
“We would take control of the course and its facilities,” the club’s match secretary Gerry Smith told STV News.
“It would be ours to run and have to the standard that’s required.”
Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau (below) also sent a video message in support of the club's campaign as he hailed the Dalmuir community.
(Image: X/@theweeman77)
He said: “Sometimes people don’t realise the impact of what golf can be and what it is for a community – whether it’s character development, personal growth, learning more about yourself or family development.
“And I think it’s important for people to understand that if you don’t have golf courses like Dalmuir, and a community like Dalmuir, then it’s difficult to continue to grow.”
Despite the funding from the local authority running out at the start of April the club hopes an asset transfer could be in operation by the summer.
Gerry said: “My ideal scenario is that the Trust is in place, the golf course is blooming, people are using it every day of the week, and we get visitors from all over Scotland.
“There’s somewhere for them to eat, somewhere to have a drink. And we could maybe even go back down the route of a having a professional back in the golf course.”
