Gosrstyhill Golf Club - Closed For Good!!!

[doc333]

For those of you who have played it, you will have proabbly enjoyed a great day out. Unfortunatley this fantastic 'Hawtree' designed course, which boasts some of the best greens in England has been closed for good. The original owner sadly died a couple of years ago, and the club was bought by a shyster, who promised to invest some small funds into the club house and catering side. He did nothing and recently informed the membership that he was only going to do monthly membership and pay and play. We all scratched our heads because why would you not want to take fees from over 400 members ......... We recently discovered the reason is because he is submitting plans to build 900 houses on this fantastic track. The locals and members went ballistic and so he threw his toys out last Thursday and said the club will be closing for good on the 31st March. The pro, his assistants, bar staff, catering, greenkeepers etc were all sacked. He's probably hoping that a load of gypos will move onto the course, just to wind everyone up. This fella should never have been allowed anywhere near a golf club, and he doesn't stand much chance of getting his plans passed, but he's prepared to sit back and watch a fantastic course go to ruin, rather than make a lot of cash from golf. The course was chock-a-block with every tee time booked with 4-balls, all last week and up to Sunday, when I played my last round.

There's a country park around the course and I walked my dog yesterday, seeing an empty course for the 1st time, its criminal.

 

[Robo-l]

I would imagine DeVere are getting a few new members at Wychwood.

 

[andrew_mac]

Sad and very dissapointing - though always a risk with an individual or company owning a club as members are effectlively in the whim of a handful of money men.

All members can do is sit back and try and block the planning application and try buy back as a members club but wont be easy or cheap.

 

[cookelad]

I've still got money on my swipe card wonder what my chances are of getting it back (probably best not to ask it'll turn out I owe them!)

 

[Wayman]

So sad seeing golf courses going and struggling

Such a shame

 

[rickg]

Sorry to hear about that, always sad to see a course closing.

Where is Gosrstyhill's most famous son, James Voce, going to get his "handicap" from now to win the Trilby Tour this year?

 

[doc333]

Sorry to hear about that, always sad to see a course closing.

Where is Gosrstyhill's most famous son, James Voce, going to get his "handicap" from now to win the Trilby Tour this year?

Jamie's working over in Dubai I believe, but was recently club treasurer and committe member, I would imagine he'd be gutted, because when the previous owner died, we were looking at buying the club. We knew it was a potential gold mine and had well over 400 members. The only thing that held the club back, was the temporary clubhouse, which wasn't a bad building, but just not large enough. This new prat who stole the club on the cheap, must have always had this development plan in mind, even though he must have known about a 99-year restrictive covenant and other covenants concerning public rights of way etc. He obviously thinks he can just backhand someone to get his plan through. We've even got local residents who live in the middle of the course, offering to buy the club off him, simply because many bought homes overlooking the course and don't want to see their property devalued by losing the views and backing onto the biggest estate in Cheshire. Its a joke

 

[Nashy]

It is a shame having played it more than a few times. There were things the course needed but never got as mentioned. I think everyone could see what was coming when it went to pay as you play, a work mate was playing it the other week and people were measure the course up with survey equipment. Time will tell what's going to happen over the next few months.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

He will never sell back to the club now or to the residents out of principal and is clearly more intent on showing the members who is the boss. Sad thing is with the covenent I reckon there is as much chance of him getting planning permission either so it will become a stand off. Does he want a patch of land doing nothing and not able to do anything or does he cut his losses and sell it back. IF and its a big one, it takes a few years I am pretty certain it wouldn't take a good green keeper long to get the majority of the course back. The problem would be the greens and the infestation of other grass types

 

[PhilTheFragger]

He will never sell back to the club now or to the residents out of principal and is clearly more intent on showing the members who is the boss. Sad thing is with the covenent I reckon there is as much chance of him getting planning permission either so it will become a stand off. Does he want a patch of land doing nothing and not able to do anything or does he cut his losses and sell it back. IF and its a big one, it takes a few years I am pretty certain it wouldn't take a good green keeper long to get the majority of the course back. The problem would be the greens and the infestation of other grass types

and the fact that the members will have joined up elsewhere in the meantime

 

[Nashy]

Tbh there's quite a few holes that need changing to make it more challenging and less one sided. The other grass types have started to grow into the greens already, I noticed this the last few times I played there. This hasn't affected the way they ran etc but it was clear to see when you looked at them. The fact the plans and approval for the houses are on the Cheshire east web site (or they were the other week) would suggest to that the land will turn into houses.

 

[Siren]

Sad story.

 

[shivas irons]

So sad to hear about clubs closing down,all the years of playing enjoyment and socialising that made peoples lifes a bit more pleasurable no gone.When I play my main course The Suffolk at Bury St Edmunds even now i'll think of shots and things that happened on the course some 20 years ago,I would hate it if that club closed.We had one I used to play sometimes close last year http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/reymers..._become_farmland_after_site_is_sold_1_1201761
Apparently all the trophies and the cabinets that were the clubs history were just auctioned off

 

[Val]

Sad story indeed.

I've played this course and really enjoyed it.

 

[shivas irons]

Just looked at the website for the course should be illegal closing that down....

 

[doc333]

Just looked at the website for the course should be illegal closing that down....

Brilliant course, but you're right, it is criminal. The other downside for me is that it took me 90-seconds from my front door to the 1st tee. Could have a few beers and walk home after playing.

 

[shivas irons]

Brilliant course, but you're right, it is criminal. The other downside for me is that it took me 90-seconds from my front door to the 1st tee. Could have a few beers and walk home after playing.

Alpha V5 with Accra shaft
Wishon 949MC 3-Wood
Wishon 949MC 5-wood
Adams Pro 24* Hybrid
Miura CB501 Irons 5 to PW
Miura Y-Grind 51*Wedge
Miura K-Grind 56* Wedge
Bettinardi BB25 Putter
Heck of a set of clubs you've got there Doc