Back in business /Dollar course re-opens six months after closing
A historic golf course has reopened – just six months after it apparently closed its doors for the last time, writes Martin Dempster.
Owners of the course at Dollar are now hoping it can enjoy a new lease of life after being reduced from 18 to nine holes.
Dollar Golf Club, the oldest club in Clackmannanshire, having been founded in 1890, shut down at the end of last year.
The club itself is not being resuscitated, but Harviestoun Estate, the landowners, have re-opened part of the course. Maintained since March, the nine holes that have been saved and a putting green are now open again.
“It’s a historical course and the farm has been involved from the start, so we are keen to try and keep golf going at Dollar as it is a good community asset,” said Harviestoun Estate’s Nicholas Poett.
“It was sad to see the club close at the end of last year and now we are keen to try and keep it going as a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into it over a hundredodd years.
“We re-employed the headgreenkeeper, Tony Leach, who did an excellent job before and it is looking really good.”
Clubs around Scotland have enjoyed a membership boost since courses reopened following following lockdown, but Poett insists this is not a case of trying to jump on any bandwagon. “I have to say that I haven’t been following the wider golf progress in Scotland over the past few weeks,” he added. “It will be pay and play. There will also be an annual sign up fee. That will be £150 to start with, £200 for families and £20 for children. The pay and play fees will be £7.50 for nine holes and £10 for 18 and £7.50 for visitors.”
The course occupied its present site on the slopes of the Ochil Hills since 1906. “I think that converting it to nine holes has allowed a lot more people to get up there and explore it. A lot of people are up there now, having not known it existed,” added Poett. “I hope people can see the positives from what we are trying to do by trying to keep it alive. If we can get a core established again, that would be great and hopefully we can do something with Dollar Academy to encourage younger membership.”