The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Trio want to take over and save golf course
GOLF: Club captain believes popular closure-threatened course can be saved
Three parties want to take over Camperdown Golf Course and save it from closure.
Camperdown Golf Club is preparing a business case for its own bid and club captain Ian Mcalindon said he is aware of at least two other parties that are interested in taking control of the 18-hole course.
But he stressed the club will need the support of golfers in Dundee if it is not to be shut down next year.
He said: “The council said in the chamber if anyone comes in willing to take over the financial side of running the course they would not stand in their way.”
The city council wants to close the course and open a new ninehole course at Caird Park, which it says will mean it can reduce the £400,000 annual subsidy it currently pays to support Dundee’s two municipal courses.
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said: “The council will consider all reasonable approaches, weighing up a number of factors and I’m pleased to hear of the interest from the club itself.”
The captain of Camperdown Golf Club has said he believes the closurethreatened course can be saved.
Ian Mcalindon said the club is putting together a business case for a community transfer that would see it take over management of the parkland course.
Dundee City Council intends to shut the course next year after councillors narrowly voted in favour of closure and the creation of a new nine-hole course and driving range at Caird Park to compensate for its loss.
The decision provoked a public outcry with hundreds of people signing a petition opposing its closure.
Now Camperdown Golf Club is seeking public support in its bid to save the course.
Mr Mcalindon said he is also aware of two other parties that have expressed an interest in taking over the 18-holer.
Policy and resources committee convener and council leader John Alexander told councillors any bids to take over the course would be considered.
The city council wants to close Camperdown to reduce the £400,000 it pays to subsidise the city’s two municipal courses each year.
Mr Mcalindon said: “As the council said in the chamber, if anyone comes in willing to take over the financial side of running the course they would not
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I feel very strongly the course will remain open as long as the council are true to their word. CAMPERDOWN GOLF CLUB CAPTAIN IAN MCALINDON
stand in their way. I hope they are true to their word and let us or – even better, one of the interested parties – take on the running of the course and bring our members in with them.
“I feel very strongly the course will remain open as long as the council are true to their word and do not have another agenda.”
Mr Mcalindon said his club needs the support of golfers who use a season ticket to play the course but are not full members.
He said: “We have been out on the course speaking to these people and, so far, have 200–250 people who have completed our questionnaire, saying they are willing to pay extra to keep the course open.
“If they come on board and pay extra to keep the course open, the golf club is happy to let them join as social or full members for a minimal fee, whichever they decide is best for them.
“Getting these people on board is vital to make our asset transfer viable, and if they do join that it will strengthen the club and our voice and clout in moving the course forward.
“There are also two other parties at present.”
Mr Alexander said: “We were clear that while we could no longer justify the significant costs in the current financial situation, we were keen to look at alternative models and work with interested parties.
“We have until the end of the financial year to find alternative models and I’m aware a number of parties have approached the council and Leisure and Culture Dundee with an interest in the course. Councillors however, are not involved in those discussions.
“The council will consider all reasonable approaches.”