Three golf clubs across Bebington and Wallasey look to be in danger of closing after Wirral council looks to make up for £16.5million budget shortage.
If the proposed cuts were to go ahead Arrowe Park, Brackenwood and The Warren golf clubs would all be shut down.
The resulting budget saving for the council, if the plans for closure were to go through, is estimated to be £180,000.
All three courses have suffered temporary closures on separate occasions during the lockdown periods, but it seems the pandemic has eventually spelt the end for the three clubs.
Only one public golf course in the borough would survive the cutbacks, the Hoylake Municipal, which the Local Democracy Reporting Service states the council must continue to run to ensure the Royal Liverpool Golf Club can host the Open Championship in 2023.
Members of the public have voiced their thoughts on the matter through discussions on the Bebington ‘In Your Area’ local community platform.
“Each golf course should be making not losing money, sort your management out Wirral Borough Council, generate money instead of making cuts.” One user said.
Another stated “The council squander millions on ridiculous schemes but they can’t find a couple of hundred thousand to keep these open.”
However, several comments in reaction to the news did take side of the government and understood the need for the proposed cuts.
Supporting the idea, one person said: “Use it or lose it. Simple as that. If you don’t use it and it’s making a loss, it’s a financial burden to a council which has priorities. Catering to people who occasionally play golf is not on the hit list and that is just reality plain and simple.”
Due to many clubs not being able to stay open across England, the idea of golf clubs closing down as a result of the pandemic has been a worry to many who use the facilities often.
In January, England Golf, outlined what it was doing in attempts to prevent golf courses and facilities closing during national lockdowns.
“As has been the case throughout this pandemic, England Golf has championed golf’s cause and argued strongly that the game should be part of the solution and not seen as part of the problem.”
“Through our own conversations with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and to the Sports Minister via the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, the evidence to support golf as a naturally socially distanced sport, played in the open-air and with Covid-secure rules in place has been presented to government.”
Their efforts so far have resulted in no change from the Government in their approach to golfing during lockdown.
“The UK Government’s position at this time remains unchanged from that stated on 4 January. We continue to work hard behind the scenes to promote golf’s return in a safe and responsible manner at the earliest opportunity.”
Featured Image – Creative Commons, David Dixon
