CONSULTATION on the future of public golf in Glasgow has revealed most people are against scrapping the city’s courses, it is understood.
Participants in a survey by Glasgow Life, the city council’s cultural and sporting arm, were overwhelmingly opposed to no longer having the six public courses.
It is believed 37.5 per cent of respondents were in favour of a switch to seasonal opening hours, which could be from April to October.
More than 2000 people responded to the consultation on municipal courses, which was launched over the summer.
The Glasgow Times understands that the cost of providing the courses across the city hit £1.26 million in 2018/19 – but just £145,000 was recouped in income.
Options drawn up ahead of Thursday’s council budget announcement included scrapping five of the six courses, with only Knightswood surviving, to save an estimated £530,000.
Glasgow Life hopes to provide golf at most of the city’s public courses and alternative operating models are being discussed, it is believed, but decisions have yet to be made.
Future talks will consider the council’s key strategies around the climate emergency, property and land and asset management, as well as budgets and the responses to the consultation.
There are three 18-hole courses – Littlehill, Lethamhill and Linn Park – and three nine-hole courses – Knightswood, Ruchill and Alexandra Park – operated by Glasgow Life.
Declining use and a “substantial annual deficit” were cited as reasons for the launch of the consultation.
It is believed the number of rounds fell by 15 per cent between 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Options suggested during consultation included reducing fees, restricting opening hours or axing the courses.
The Glasgow Times also understands that of the 2071 people who took part in the consultation, just over 50 per cent currently play golf and 76 per cent of those play on public courses.
From those who play on public courses, 68 per cent also use other providers’ courses, including private facilities.
The council will reveal its budget on Thursday and is required to make savings of around £50m.
More than 350 people have signed a petition calling on the council to “Save Littlehill Golf Course” and golfers are being urged to gather at Milnbank Housing Association’s community flat in 1 Culloden Street tonight to share their views on the future of the Alexandra Park course.
The council has said: “The cross-party budget working group asked officers for savings options.
“All parties have received the same information and they will present their budgets at a meeting on February 20.”
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