JOHN MCGINN’s home golf course is under serious threat of being closed – just a year after a campaign backed by the Scotland hero forced council bosses into a u-turn.
The Aston Villa captain, who grew up in Clydebank, regularly played at nearby Dalmuir Municipal and led calls to save the course last year after it was earmarked for permanent closure by the local council.
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Dalmuir Municipal Golf Course in West Dunbartonshire could be closed for goodCredit: West Dunbartonshire Council
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John McGinn played at the course as a youngster and did his bit to save it last yearCredit: Getty
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But council chiefs are once again proposing to sell off the landCredit: WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
West Dunbartonshire Council want the rip up the land on which the course is laid out and replace it with housing developments.
Dalmuir, which is owned and operated by the council, is situated on the outskirts of Glasgow and has a reputation as one of the finest public-run courses in Scotland.
Its signature hole, the par-3 14th called Gully, is consistently ranked as one of the most challenging par-3s in the country.
Scottish golf star Bob MacIntyre, Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose and renowned caddie Craig Connelly also voiced their opposition to the council’s proposals last year, and the course was saved at the 11th hour.
But with the local authority still feeling the squeeze on budgets and needing to save funds, plans to shut the course have reared their head again.
Members have started a petition in a desperate attempt to keep the course open.
They say the club offers locals – and visitors – the chance to play the sport at a reasonable price and offers value as a space for physical and mental well-being.
And they’ve warned that closing one of the country’s most popular council courses could lead to similar fates for other munis.
The petition on Change.org reads: “For nearly a century, Dalmuir Golf Course has been an integral part of our community. As long-standing residents and frequent visitors, we have found solace, companionship, and an affordable golfing experience on its well-maintained greens, which rank among the finest in the UK’s municipal golf courses.
“Our beloved golf course serves not just as a venue for enjoying a round or two of golf, but as a therapeutic space that aids in improving physical and mental well-being. Nevertheless, our cherished source of deep community ties and well-being is under threat due to the proposed closure by the West Dunbartonshire Council.
Beginner golfers should be using this simple hack for consistent ball striking
“This alarming proposition fails to consider the blow it inflicts on our community and the loyal members who consider its existence pivotal to their daily lives. Not to mention, the closure undermines the municipal golfing culture in the UK and sets a precedent for other public facilities to face similar fates.
“We seek to protect and preserve Dalmuir Golf Course. By doing so, we hold onto a piece of our community’s heritage, facilitate affordable access to sports and fitness, and support a resource that contributes significantly to mental and physical well-being. We implore the West Dunbartonshire Council to review their decision and safeguard this longstanding community asset for present and future generations. Show your support for Dalmuir Golf Course by signing this petition.”
Thousands signed the previous petition and the current has almost 100 in just a few hours.
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Dalmuir is consistently ranked as one of Scotland’s best council-owned coursesCredit: WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
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The 14th hole is one of its most famousCredit: WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
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