Golf in South Ayrshire has plunged into financial crisis, the Post can reveal.
New figures show the sport was almost £1.5 million in the red across the county last year.
The council’s eight courses leaked the alarming sum, raising questions about the long term viability of some.
A total of £1,995,054 was spent on the sport in South Ayrshire in 2018-19.
But just 466,850 was earned in income.
And worryingly for council bosses, those figures do not include central and internal overheads.
The figures were released under Freedom of Information.
Councillor Brian Connolly, who chairs the region’s Golf Trust, is heading a plan to develop a new Academy for the sport at Belleisle.
That project has caused huge controversy because of its plan to build over part of the existing Seafield course and Old Racecourse land.
But Cllr Connolly claims the figures tee up his argument that the project is in “dire need” of the green light.
He said: “Our case all along has been that golf is dying and we need to act in order to save the sport here in South Ayrshire.
“If these figures don’t prove that, I don’t know what does.
“The whole of Scottish golf recognises there is a problem now and they accept the sport is struggling.
“That’s why we need policies in place to help the game grow, which is why projects like the proposed golf academy are in dire need of progress.”
The long term future of courses such as Maybole and Dalmilling will once again come under the spotlight following release of the damning figures.
And Councillor Connolly said: “While there are no plans to close any courses, we clearly need to look at how we’re managing the portfolio.
“It is a huge part of what we do in South Ayrshire.
“Maybole, for example, must cost around £45,000 to run and we’re definitely not getting that in return.”
