A pair of historic Monifieth golf clubs will merge on New Year’s Day.
The Grange and Broughty Golf Clubs, which occupy neighbouring sites on Monifieth links, have agreed to merge in response to dwindling memberships and will be based in the current Grange clubhouse.
Both clubs have histories stretching back more than a century.
Representatives of the clubs have signed an amalgamation agreement to form the Grange & Broughty Golf Club on New Year’s Day.
Members of both clubs approved the plan to amalgamate in separate ballots in July.
Ian Cowan, captain of the Grange club, said: “I am delighted that the Grange and Broughty golf clubs are coming together.
“The amalgamation will afford the new club the opportunity to provide its members with improved facilities at an affordable cost.
“The increased membership will ensure that the club is on a sound financial footing and well placed to promote the sport of golf in our local community and further afield.”
Broughty captain Colin Mullis said: “The amalgamation of the clubs is an historic moment, and whilst many Broughty members may be saddened by moving from their golfing home, the formation of the new club represents a big step in the right direction for the future of golf at Monifieth.”
Membership of golf clubs in Scotland has fallen by 20% in the last decade, with fewer women and young people taking up the game.
Monifieth links, where records show golf was first played in 1639, has not been immune to the trend.
Membership of the four clubs on the links has fallen by 34% to just over 900 players in the last 12 years.
The Grange club, the biggest of the four with more than 500 members, has seen a 25% reduction, and the three others – Broughty, which has 160 members, Monifieth and Ladies Panmure– have also suffered falls.
The Grange clubhouse will be extended to create more caddy and locker space.
Existing staff of both clubs will transfer to the new club.
A new club crest and colours for the branding of all signage and merchandise will be adopted.
A new club website is scheduled to go live on amalgamation and recognition of the constituent clubs’ rich heritage will be included as part of the refurbished clubhouse.
A plan for the future use or disposal of the Broughty clubhouse is currently being developed.
One possibility is that it could become new offices for the Monifieth Links management body which maintains the Medal and Ashludie courses, although no final decision has yet been taken.
The Monifieth and Ladies Panmure Golf Clubs are not involved in the merger.
In a separate development, as a trial aimed at attracting more golfers to Monifieth, Ashludie is being reconfigured into two nine-hole courses, although it will still be possible to play an 18-hole format.
