Popular Scottish Municipal Golf Course Dalmuir To Close Despite DeChambeau's Support
A popular Scottish municipal golf course, Dalmuir, is set to close despite receiving high-profile support from LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau and other professional golfers.
Golfer stands near golf hole
The West Dunbartonshire Council made the decision due to financial constraints, as the course currently requires a £145,000 annual subsidy to operate. The council faces a £7.7m budget gap for 2025/26 and must prioritize essential services like education, housing, and citizen support.
Scottish caddie Craig Connelly, who grew up playing at Dalmuir, brought the course's situation to DeChambeau's attention. This led to DeChambeau creating a social media video highlighting the importance of public golf courses to communities and encouraging people to sign a petition to save the facility. Despite gathering over 3,500 signatures, the financial reality proved insurmountable.
Connelly, currently in Hong Kong for a LIV Golf event, remains optimistic about the course's future. He suggests the possibility of a community asset transfer, where locals would take over the course's operation. However, he acknowledges that lack of investment over the past 20 years has contributed to its decline.
The closure marks the end of a significant community asset, though supporters vow to continue fighting for its preservation. The situation highlights the broader challenges facing public golf courses as they balance accessibility with financial sustainability.