Why are these golf club members protesting?

It's not an image that you expect to see at a golf club, but more than 100 people gathered at Ifield Golf Club to protest against moves to close the venue and build homes on the land.

Homes England, which is the government's housing and regeneration agency, took ownership of the site on the outskirts of Crawley back in 2020 and it has now given notice that the club will have to shut its doors and vacate by April 2027.

The land occupied by the golf course is subject to an application to build 3,000 homes, but that is yet to be considered by Horsham District Council.

While many had feared that this day would come, numerous members, including many with decades spent at the club, braved the chilly conditions to show their public disapproval of the situation.

Organised by local group Save West of Ifield, the protest was scheduled for Monday (January 5), when both club members and others from the community were invited to demonstrate.

Spokeswoman Cathy Durrant said ahead of the protest: "Whilst having the right to serve notice as the club’s landlord, by taking this action they have blatantly ignored the views of all those who object to the application and consequent closure of the club, not least consultees such as the government agency Sport England, and other bodies such as England Golf and Sussex Golf.

"This protest will give golf club members and the local community the opportunity to express their deep anger and unhappiness with Homes England’s actions."

It's all especially melancholic as the club is set to mark its centenary year in 2027.

Speaking to the BBC, Alan Covey, a member of the club and selector for the England Boys golf team, commented: "2027's our centenary, so it means we're not going to celebrate our centenary.

"The sad thing is the whole aspect has not got planning permission so this land could lay fallow for years and years and years.

"There's not enough places around the county for these members to go, all the golf courses are full up, all the junior sections are full up. Some will give up the sport entirely.

"It's their life, these guys come here every day, have a coffee with their friends, it's not all about golf, it's about community and mental health, and it's being taken away from us."

Long-standing member Gillean Fuller added: "We've got friendships here that we've had for decades. We look out for each other in difficult times, there's lots of widows and widowers.

"They feel embraced by this club and they'd be so sad to lose that."

Having been part of the club for 60 years, closure would have a deep impact on James Shelford, who said: "We knew it was on the cards since 2020.

"I'm going to miss it and miss my friends."

Protesters called on Homes England to withdraw the notice to quit in the context that a final decision on the planning application hasn't yet been made and the council is unlikely to make that determination for several months to come.

Responding, a spokesperson for Homes England said: "Homes England bought Ifield Golf Club in 2020 and it was communicated at that time that the intention was to bring forward new homes on the land.

"The club was granted a lease for five years and this has been further extended through a second lease. The club has been given as much notice as possible to help manage the orderly closure of the facilities in Spring 2027."

Sussex World reports that should the application be refused, which remains a possibility, "the current lawful use of the site for outdoor sports and recreation, will remain in place with consideration given to its future occupation and use."

Highly Recommended on Golfshake, Ifield Golf Club is regarded positively by both members and visitors. It would be a devastating blow to those people should this beloved venue be required to shut permanently next year.