Scottish Golf Club Makes Bold Choice to Save Itself

Craigie Hill Golf Club in Perth has made a bold decision in order to secure its long-term future after submitting plans to reduce itself from 18 holes to nine and transform the landscape into 175 homes that will help to fund a wider redevelopment.

As part of this vast project, the clubhouse will be revamped into a new sports and community hub. Proposals include new tree planting and the introduction of cycling and footpaths across the elevated expanse of Craigie Hill, which overlooks the city and has panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Speaking to The Courier, club captain and transition board member Dave Mitchell, said: "The status quo is not an option. Two golf clubs (The Hirsel and Torrance Park) have closed recently in Scotland. These proposals present a one-off opportunity to create a sustainable future for Craigie Hill and ensure the local community can enjoy the leisure provision for years to come.

"The housing element (of two, three, four and five bedroom homes, including affordable builds and bungalows) on the northern slopes is essential to fund this development."

Hundreds of people - club members and individuals from the local community - have been part of an 18-month consultation process, with a planning application having now been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.

(Image Credit: Craigie Hill GC Facebook)

Elsewhere in the city, golfers are serviced by King James Golf Club and the municipal North Inch golf course, with the impressive facility at Murrayshall being just a few miles outside the centre.

Growing up in Perth and having lived there for many years, talk of this development has been around for a substantial period, but now it finally looks to be taking shape.

We're reminded of the changes made to Farrington Park Golf Club in Somerset, with Surrey's Chiddingfold Golf Club also being reduced to 12 holes, but the scale of the plans for Craigie Hill (a club founded in 1911) are even more significant.

It'll be fascinating to see how this develops and what it means for both local golfers and the wider community. 

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