Charity tees up bid for Winter Hill club
Cookham: Backing for rival effort to buy John Lewis-owned course
A charity has said it is prepared to put it backing behind a rival bid to keep Winter Hill Golf Club running.
At the end of February, it was announced that the John Lewis Partnership would be closing up and selling the golf club, in Cookham, and talks were underway about Maidenhead Golf Club potentially moving there.
The Maidenhead club’s chairman said he believed this was a good option for its members, given it is facing the loss of its current course, where hundreds of homes are set to be built.
Now, a charity is ‘prepared to step in’ to save the Winter Hill course from closure, sitting in opposition to Maidenhead Golf Club’s plans.
The Phoenix Bid Team was set up two weeks ago following the ‘shock decision’ by the John Lewis Partnership that the club would be closing at the end of April.
Get Golfing has told the John Lewis Partnership that it has the ability to move on a sale, potentially keeping it open.
It has said it would provide the opportunity for an ‘improved offer both for existing members and anyone looking to join.’
Get Golfing said it would look at how it could provide golf membership and playing opportunities for more people, including those at Maidenhead when their course closes.
Simon Greenland, who founded the Phoenix team, said it was ‘a winwin situation.’
He said: “Get Golfing already runs nine courses and it is a charity, so this is about growing the game and improving facilities, not just profits for an owner or limited membership.
“We know that Maidenhead members need to vote on their proposal and understand why they would want to relocate to our quality course, but we believe that this can work.
“[This would mean] that the playing opportunities, respect of the local community and ethos of the current club are continued whilst additional playing opportunities will be created for others in the area.”
Edward Richardson of Get Golfing said: “We believe that with Get Golfing at the helm, both the members of Winter Hill and Maidenhead Golf Club as well as golfers from the surrounding area can come together to create one welcoming club.
“We have the experience and the ability to stop the course closing and protect this incredible part of Cookham for years to come.”
A group of members at Winter Hill Golf Club have put their backing behind the charity.
Chairman of Maidenhead Golf Club Paul Louden said the club is ‘continuing with its plans’, including holding a members’ vote on whether to move into the Winter Hill site.
A John Lewis Partnership spokesperson said: “We remain in advanced talks with Maidenhead Golf Club and will update our members as soon as a decision is reached.”