A SCOTTISH golf course near Glasgow is set to close despite continued efforts to save the venue.
Dalmuir Golf Club near Glasgow - the only municipal course in West Dunbartonshire, which has been open since 1906- was saved last year and is home to several clubs in the area, including Clydeview Cleddans, Clydebank Overtoun, Kilbowie and Radnor golf clubs.
However, the Labour-led West Dunbartonshire Council, which has a £7.7 million funding gap, said it could no longer afford to subsidise the facility after a steady decline in membership.
It said it spent about £145,000 subsidising the course in the last year, equating to about £805 per member.
Councillors had considered various options to save the facility, including whether to increase membership costs, reduce the course to 12 holes or close it completely, before coming to a decision.
SNP councillors opposed any proposals to increase fees, close the course, or reduce the number of holes as Labour’s decision to close the course sees five West Dunbartonshire Council staff members made redundant.
However, Gerry Smith, who launched the petition to save Dalmuir, said on Saturday that his club – Clydebank Overtoun – were looking at options for a community asset transfer.
Speaking about yesterday’s budget decision he said: “After contacting both Douglas McAllister and councillor Lawrence O’Neill, they have assured me that a community asset transfer is now being implemented and the course will remain open until this is completed.
“This is great news but the lack of communication regarding this has been pretty poor.
“I had emailed all councillors with this idea and when council voted to cut all funding, myself and many others, including local press, who all assumed the course will now close.
“I am delighted that the course will remain open, but lack of communication is disappointing.”
The SNP group said it was "deeply disappointed" and argued that "for generations, it has been a vital community asset, offering people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to stay active, socialise, and support their physical and mental wellbeing".
Commenting on the decision, SNP depute leader and councillor for Clydebank Central where the course is located, Sophie Traynor, said: “This facility is a vital community asset, recognised across the country for its value. The outpouring of support from sporting figures in recent weeks highlights just how important it is to our area.
“Unfortunately, the Labour administration has chosen not to keep the course open for the next year while a community asset transfer is explored, putting its future at serious risk.”
Leader of the SNP group councillor Gordon Scanlan reiterated: “It’s disappointing that Labour pushed ahead with closing Dalmuir Golf Course instead of keeping it open while other options are explored. There was nothing stopping them from allowing these discussions to take place whilst ensuring it remains available to the community if no alternative arrangement was reached.
“It’s worth remembering that there would be no need to save the Golf Course if the decision hadn’t been made to close it in the first place.”
Members of the community also took to social media to share their reaction to the news.
One wrote: "This is so wrong it’s only place our men and sons have for recreation and it’s their sport you are taking it away from hard working men who have a weekend off and they love their golf it’s wrong."
Another commented: "I am disgusted at this news and don't understand why we are standing for this.
"Government and councillors are taking so much from us, what will be left for our kids?"
A spokeswoman for the council said: “Despite significant efforts, regrettably membership and usage of Dalmuir Golf Course has continued to decline.
“Our budget gap for 2025/26 was £7.7 million and we expect further financial challenges in coming years so we must prioritise protection of the essential services we provide to residents including education, housing and citizen support.”
