Sign of the times.

Leeds City Council have made some strange decisions over the years but they have just come up with another belter.

To save money they have said they may close two of four Municipal Golf Courses (Gotts Park and Middleton Park). This is the same council that years ago refused to spend �500,000 to make it's most popular Muni into an 18hole course, yet spent over �2m building a new course. Reason? Because the area's MP was a Cabinet Minister for the opposition.

At least they are not planning to sell the land for developement.

I know of a private club in Leeds that might close before those 2.

Pray tell Brian?

Tried pm'ing you David but it just doesn't want to work. Don't really want to post up the name of a private member's club that's seriously struggling.

PMs should work but when you reply it might look a bit odd. Fix will go live tonight.

Some clubs seem to be in very difficult times at the moment and it concerns me that decisions aren't being taken that are relevant in a modern business world.

I can understand that Brian. with running costs of around half a million pa, it is no wonder that more Clubs are not struggling.

Is there a solution or is it akin to 'natural selection' and the landscape of golf clubs will evolve from where they were 20 years ago ? potentially less clubs and waiting lists once again ???

Years ago, once you were 'in' a club you wanted to stay there, at all costs. It held a certain social standing too.

Today it is not as much so. Paying about �1000 to be a member and only play a few times is not acceptable anymore.

The trouble is that many Committees have old fashioned members running them. I once sat on a 9hole Muni committee who were wanting to cap it's membership to 500. I said then that there should be no cap at a Muni because 75% of members are there as a road to a private club, just take there money for now.

Yes it's a sad situation for Gotts Park (where I played golf from aged 10 to 19). I have a lot of great memories as in the seventies it was a popular and vibrant club. Eric Garlick the greenkeeper always kept the course in great condition despite the vandalism from the neighbouring council estate. As for redevelopment, I wouldn't hold your breath Lyth. The no. of clubs struggling will go up and up and all clubs need more Income streams which inevitably will mean more visitors at ever increasing lower green fees. Members will have to accept this or they wont have a club. I played at my old club Calverley on Sat. �13 for a round and a pint (or bacon sandwich & tea). Could it be any cheaper?

Interesting isn't it Patrick. Whilst we welcome the stunning offers that abound in these times, it is in reality a sad reflection on how many courses are suffering in the current climate. Let's hope we find a middle road between bargains for the player and a healthy bank balance for the clubs. It's in all our interests after all.

More info on the Leeds closures via the GCMA

More municipal clubs set to close

Very interesting comments from LCC. Two full time jobs? What about the jobs not connected direct to the Council (Pro, Steward etc)?

Also the 'costs' to maintain Parkland as against a Golf Course will not be too far apart. I pass both Gotts Park and Middleton regularlly (I live a drive\wedge from Gotts)while Gotts isn't used a great deal, the car park at Middleton is always well used. Mind you half those cars may be dog walkers.