A COUNTY golf club closes permanently tomorrow (Saturday) due to an "unprecedented loss of members".

Castle Park Golf Club in Gifford is due to shut its doors for the final time tomorrow, citing the loss of members and an offer to revert the land to farm land as the reasons behind the closure.

A statement from the Wilson family, the owners of the course, said: "It is with great regret that we have to inform you that Castle Park Golf Course will close for good at the close of play Saturday, January 31.

"The reasons for this are two fold: since we announced our impending retirement in early December we have had an unprecedented loss of members and as a result the golf course business will not be viable for 2015; and we have had offers for the land to revert to farmland and none at all to purchase a golf course.

"This is not how we intended our ownership of the course to end, but have accepted one of the offers.

"Clubs throughout the country are seeing drops in membership.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you all for the past nine years and it is with sincere regret that we have to bow out on such a sad note.

“It is better to make a clean break at the end of the golfing year, January 31, and allow you all time to get fixed up with another club, in good time to get signed up for Spring and Summer competitions.

“We shall shortly return all subscriptions to those who have paid prior to February 1 and we are informing Fairway Credit not to collect any standing orders on February 1.

“Thank you for your custom over the years and we wish you well in your future golf.”