Second Edinburgh Golf Club Closes

[CliveW]

Unfortunately a second course in Edinburgh has gone to the wall.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/golf/the-day-torphin-hill-golf-club-died-1-3257885

 

[needmoreclub]

Sad day Clive, it was one of the clubs we had a reciprocal agreement with alongside 'Mouse Valley'. Thought the article was spot on stating it's more about facilities now, people won't accept poor facilities nowadays.

 

[williamalex1]

Sad to see a club which has survived for almost 120years close. there's a few more on the brink .

 

[CMAC]

Friends I knew played it and raved about the views but absolutely hated the steepness of the hills and numerous blind shots.

 

[Wayman]

Feel sorry for the members

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I only played it once, when I was 7 or 8. I think I got a par 3 at the 1st (if I'm remembering correctly...)

It's a shame that clubs are having to close down, but it's just a sign of the times

 

[CMAC]

I only played it once, when I was 7 or 8. I think I got a par 3 at the 1st (if I'm remembering correctly...)

It's a shame that clubs are having to close down, but it's just a sign of the times

partly, but there are still many many clubs with waiting lists and high entry fees.

 

[Foxholer]

Sign of the times I'm afraid.

From a purely 'heartless observer' point of view...the loss of another ho-hum course (though with great views) with the members dispersing to any of half a dozen ho-hum courses nearby!

The value of the land (eventually) far exceeds the utilisation as a Golf Course. I'm certain there'll, unfortunately, be more casualties as the 'Southern Economics' approach is applied to Scottish Golf courses as simply assets rather than part of the culture.

 

[Alex1975]

Sign of the times I'm afraid.

From a purely 'heartless observer' point of view...the loss of another ho-hum course (though with great views) with the members dispersing to any of half a dozen ho-hum courses nearby!

The value of the land (eventually) far exceeds the utilisation as a Golf Course. I'm certain there'll, unfortunately, be more casualties as the 'Southern Economics' approach is applied to Scottish Golf courses as simply assets rather than part of the culture.

Are you meaning the British government or a way Southern courses are managed as businesses?

 

[Foxholer]

Are you meaning the British government or a way Southern courses are managed as businesses?

The completely different approach to Golf and its resources in the South (East). Nothing, well little, to do with the Government.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

partly, but there are still many many clubs with waiting lists and high entry fees.

In Edinburgh?

 

[Simbo]

There's was something on here just before Christmas saying that they had to raise 20 grand in 4 weeks or something to stop its closure. As a golfer I don't like to see golf courses close but this course was horrendous when I played it. Definately mountain goat stuff!!

 

[CMAC]

In Edinburgh?

don't know as my spreadsheet isn't up to date. I'd imagine there are some in affluent Edinburgh

 

[StrangelyBrown]

There are certainly some that are more expensive, but I don't think that there are any with waiting lists with the exception, perhaps, of Duddingston and Baberton.

I know that they used to have waiting lists, but I'm not certain at the moment

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Read that from a link on twitter. Very sad and sounds a unique course. Fair play to the members for doing all they could for so long to keep it going and hope they find new homes they can enjoy

 

[DCB]

A lot of clubs have tried to entice the younger golfers in by setting low subs for the 20-30 age range. As Torphin seem to have found out it isn't the answer. You still need a good core of Ordinary members to keep the club afloat.

 

[the smiling assassin]

i think burgess is the only edinburgh club with a waiting list now - might be wrong.

cut price subs for under 30s isn't going to solve club finances. i can't believe any club would adopt the policy expecting such. it appears to be the only way to keep numbers up in this category for higher subs clubs and it's unhealthy not to have a reasonable number of 20-somethings in a club (as it is any age category).

 

[Deleted member 15344]

A lot of clubs have tried to entice the younger golfers in by setting low subs for the 20-30 age range. As Torphin seem to have found out it isn't the answer. You still need a good core of Ordinary members to keep the club afloat.

A few clubs in this area are doing the exact same thing - offering reduced rates for under 30's

 

[StrangelyBrown]

A few clubs in this area are doing the exact same thing - offering reduced rates for under 30's

All have done this not long after I turned 31... ho hum

 

[DCB]

I see that Mortonhall have even pushed the young golfer category out to 35 now. They still have a small list and do still charge a joining fee for ordinary members.

Young members are transient and will go where the best offers are, often year by year. Craigmillar Park suffered from this a couple of years back with a huge churn rate in this range.