Edinburgh to lose more golf courses?

[BrizoH71]

Today's Edinburgh Evening News has a story which reports that Edinburgh City Council are going to axe £2million worth of leisure funding which will see the potential closure of sports centres & council-run golf courses in the city.

The council own and operate six courses in the city - Craigentinny, Carrick Knowe, Braid Hills, Wee Braids, Portobello, Silverknowes.

The Braids is a money-spinner for them, so that should be safe from the chop, but likely affected courses are Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny and Silverknowes; the Portobello 9-holer could go as well.

I'm not sure about Silverknowes, but both Craigentinny and Carrick Knowe have proper 'golf clubs' attached to them.. Carrick Vale GC (Carrick Knowe) and Lochend GC (Craigentinny).

While none of the courses are particularly great, it would be a shame to see more golf real estate lost in the city in order to claw back some of the overspend on the trams fiasco.

 

[CMAC]

dont see the issue- poor courses making no money on land best used for other purposes- no brainer really.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

In these tight times you can't really justify tax payers money going into golf courses when there are so many privately run ones available. A very easy political decision, old peoples home closed, social workers laid off or golf course to close? I am sure it is a shame for those who play those courses but that is the harsh reality of spending at the moment.

 

[Tommo21]

dont see the issue- poor courses making no money on land best used for other purposes- no brainer really.

Fair point but I know many golfers who started their game of council courses.

 

[GB72]

Fair point but I know many golfers who started their game of council courses.

This is a good point. With declining participation numbers, losing council run and 9 hole courses is a real blow. Most people I know started out on Council courses near me like Thorpe Wood and Orton Meadows. Others I know rely on 9 holers like Sudbrooke near me as the membership cost is affordable by most, as is the daily rate, and the shorter course suits some people perfectly for time or ability. I know it is not up to the Council to fund or develop golf but losing cheaper or easier to access or shorter courses is not great as far as getting people to start playing golf is concerned.

 

[Val]

Fair point but I know many golfers who started their game of council courses.

This is a good point but sentiment doesn't make money

 

[DCB]

It's just the opening shot in a bid to make sure the people of Edinburgh are aware of the budget cuts that the council are thinking of.

 

[Andre Linoge]

Carrick Knowe is a terrible course, so the sooner it is shut the better. :thup::thup::thup:

 

[andrew_mac]

Carrick Knowe is a terrible course, so the sooner it is shut the better. :thup::thup::thup:

Never played it but it is often busy when I pass it daily on the train to and from Glasgow.

 

[CMAC]

Fair point but I know many golfers who started their game of council courses.

as did I at Royal Knightswood :thup:


There will still be many council courses, just closing the ones that lose money I would think.