Written by Andrew Ward

THOUSANDS more rounds of golf have been played at Dalmuir this year – despite months of restrictions being imposed on the public.

More than 5,000 rounds were played on West Dunbartonshire’s only municipal course between April and October - an increase of more than 2,000 on the figure for the whole of the 2019-20 financial year.

A report prepared for West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) says the total number of rounds played has risen from 3,035 in the whole of 2019-20 to 5,278 in the first seven months of the current financial year.

Membership numbers have also soared from 146 to 207.

The more positive picture is welcome news for the course after a 20 per cent rise in green fees in 2019 saw season ticket sales plummet.

As well as increasing income, council officers set a savings target of £30,000 for the current financial year.

As of October 31, savings had reached £50,000 – but it’s expected that a further £20,000 will be saved by the end of March.

The course was closed from March 23 to May 29 because of the strict pandemic control measures implemented across the UK.

A package of measures was agreed in January to try and improve the course’s financial performance - but most of those measures have not been implemented because of the pandemic.

Those included the introduction of “footgolf” and exploring the option of turning the nearby bowling pavilion into a “café clubhouse”, as well as offering West Dunbartonshire Leisure members unlimited rounds on the course for an extra £200.

The report - to be considered by councillors at a meeting on December 16 - says the council plans to implement those measures in the early spring of 2021.

Clydebank’s MSP Gil Paterson said: “It is really rewarding when a plan to secure the viability of well-loved council facilities in West Dunbartonshire is a success.

“By restructuring the fee base and encouraging greater use of the course during the financial year, WDC have managed to increase membership by over 40 per cent and visitor numbers by a staggering 73 per cent, creating full year projected subsidy savings of £70,000 – way better than the £30,000 target when the plan was set in January 2020.

“It shows us, even in these dark times, what can be achieved with the right plan and commitment.”

Find out more at west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/dalmuir-golf-course/green-fees/.