Clydebank community launch rescue bid of 97-year-old Dalmuir Golf Course

Dalmuir Golf Course has served the community of West Dunbartonshire since 1928.

But, despite welcoming generations of golfers through the gates, the 18-hole municipal course has been battling against closure bids for years.

Earlier this month, West Dunbartonshire Council voted to axe the course’s funding as part of a range of measures to plug a £7.7m budget gap.

Now, Clydebank and Overtoun Golf Club, who operate on the site, are taking matters into their own hands and are planning a takeover.

“We would take control of the course and its facilities,” said the club’s match secretary Gerry Smith. “It would be ours to run and have to the standard that’s required.”

Famous supporters

The club’s rescue bid involved a petition against the council’s funding decision which gathered over 4,000 signatures.

That petition then reached the eyes of some of the World’s top players after Ryder Cup caddy Craig Connolly, an honorary member of the club, spread the word on social media.

Scotland No1 Robert McIntyre and Justin Rose are among the big names to throw their support behind the course.

Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau then sent a video message in which 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.”

Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau sent a video message @theweeman77

Community Asset Transfer

West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister is leading the bid for a community asset transfer of the course.

He and club members have formed a charitable trust and have gained backing from organisations including Scottish Golf.

Mr McAllister told STV News: “As a Clydebank resident, I grew up enjoying access to Dalmuir Municipal Golf Course, as did my children.”

He added that he was “absolutely determined” that the course “will not only be saved, but it will thrive and continue to allow access to golf for everyone across our community.”

He also encouraged people to “continue to support by joining and playing Dalmuir Golf Course and help secure its future.”

Gerry Smith - Clydebank and Overtoun Golf Club — Gerry Smith – Clydebank and Overtoun Golf Club STV News

Craig McLaren, who has played at the club almost his whole life, told STV News: “I was fortunate enough in 2019 to break the course record that stood for 14 to 15 years.

“And from a personal standpoint, to have a golf course that doesn’t exist anymore with my plaque that says I have the course record – it will diminish it. And that makes me personally quite sad.”

However, while council funding will end at the start of April, it’s hoped the 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.”