Future of Scottish golf courses at risk as costs soar

The future of Scottish golf courses are being highlighted again as a course dubbed the ‘Augusta of the Borders’ closed for good.

Scotland boasts more than 550 courses, more than any other nation per capita, with 65 of those in the North-east of Scotland.

Aberdeenshire is home to 55 courses, some of which recognised as among the best in the world, including Trump International and Cruden Bay.

The sport’s popularity increased during the pandemic but the “boom” has passed, according to Chris Spencer of the Scottish Golf & Club Managers Association.

Hirsel, near Coldstream in the Scottish borders, has now shut for good. The famous course was once nicknamed the “Augusta of the Borders”.

“With the rising energy prices, minimum wages going up and other costs such as insurance rising, it would not surprise me if other clubs are debating whether they can continue,” Mr Spencer said.

He added: “Golf in Scotland has always been for everybody and therefore [membership] has been at quite a competitive rate. But the Hirsel closure isn’t the first.

“Unfortunately there could be others unless either more people join or members potentially have to pay a lot more to sustain their golf club.”

Last month, members of Westhill Golf Club in Aberdeenshire were called to a meeting to take action regarding a “severe and urgent cash-flow issue”.

The club cited unexpected machinery costs and declining membership numbers as primary reasons for facing financial hardship.