A golf club which was in danger of losing its home due to debts has been saved by a surge in memberships during the pandemic.
Lockerbie Golf Club had suffered financial losses before the virus crisis, sought rent relief, and player numbers had also dwindled.
Dumfries and Galloway Council issued the club with a 12-month notice of termination of lease last December, which has now run its course.
However, circumstances unexpectedly swung in the club’s favour when more people took up outdoor sports again during the Covid restrictions.
Last month, golf club management requested a new lease agreement from the council – and submitted a solid business plan for the next five years to back up their case.
The club’s business plan states: “In the 10 years prior to the Covid outbreak in March 2020 the club has struggled to maintain its membership and visitor numbers with consistently decreasing levels of income and the club suffering losses.
“The pandemic has been more of a boost to the club than could perhaps have been expected.
“A return to golf from many lapsed members, seizing on outdoors activities that are safe in the Covid era, with money now being available for memberships and golf equipment perhaps as holiday budgets were not required.
“This combined with the UK staycation boom, has improved visitor numbers in 2021 significantly.”
It is now looking likely that a new lease will be agreed between the golf club and the council at next week’s Lockerbie and Lochmaben Common Good Fund Sub-Committee.
A report due to be tabled at the committee also confirmed that the club had secured a minimum five-year contract from local windfarm company Muirhall Energy of £10,000 per year, which will assist its future viability.
Steven Wylie, council ward officer for Annandale North, stated in the report: “The new business plan from Lockerbie Golf Club reviews the viability of the club for the forthcoming five years and sets out a realistic budget demonstrating its economic viability going forward.”
He added: “The club has relied heavily on their volunteers who worked hard to reduce losses by cutting costs and trying to maintain a break-even position.
“The Covid-19 pandemic provided the club with an unexpected upturn in the renewal of memberships and visitors. This opportunity is likely to continue, and the club are keen to seize upon this with a view to growing the club’s income whilst meeting its obligations to its stakeholders and landlords.”
