Camperdown Golf Course will close next year after councillors backed a report that said its running costs are no longer sustainable.
City councillors on the policy and resources committee met on Monday evening to discuss a report that recommended the course’s closure.
The plan to close the course at the end of the current 2019/2020 season was passed by a single vote despite a passionate plea from club captain Ian McAlindon.
He said it was “disgusting” that the first most members had heard of the closure plan was in The Courier last week.
He said the Camperdown golf community was like “family” to some of the older members.
For further coverage and reactions, see Tuesday’s Courier
The council report said player numbers have dwindled in recent years and public golf efforts should be consolidated at the council’s other course at Caird Park.
However, Mr McAlindon insisted Camperdown remains the superior course and could have a bright future as a centre for training young golfers.
He predicted none of Camperdown’s 90 members would move to Caird Park if the council plan was approved.
The council report says closing Camperdown would cut the level of golf subsidy needed by Leisure & Culture Dundee from £440,000 to £54,000 by 2021.
Council leader John Alexander said he is the last person who wants to see the Camperdown course close but added that councillors have to be “realists” in a time of financial challenge.
He said: “We have to recognise the real financial situation the council is in. Too many in this chamber put their head in the sand.”
Closure was backed by 14 votes to 13, with all SNP councillors and independent councillor Gregor Murray accepting the recommendation to close.
Camperdown Golf Course opened in 1959 and is recognised as one of the country’s best publicly-owned parkland courses.
