MILITARY BUNKERS Does MOD REALLY need 19 golf courses?
THE armed forces still own 19 golf courses – four years after the Defence Secretary asked why they needed so many.
Michael Fallon, the minister with responsibility for the MOD in 2015, suggested some of the courses should be sold to bring in desperately needed cash for the Army, Navy and RAF.
But the Sunday People has discovered the Ministry of Defence has not flogged off one single lush green acre.
Of the 19 golf courses, 15 are located in the UK, including two in Wales, one in Scotland and another in Northern Ireland.
There is one for British troops in Germany and three for use by military personnel serving in Cyprus. The revelation means that almost 3,000 acres of prime land funded by the taxpayer is being used to play golf.
The value could be up to £30million, according to one ne land agent. Some are located in some of the
UK’S most picturesque uresque settings, including ding 18hole Upavon course in Wiltshire.
RAF Lakenheath heath in
Suffolk has a nine-hole course where members embers of the armed forces rces and guests of securityritycleared staff can play. One of the three courses in Cyprus, where 3,500 troops are based, is the Joint Services Golf Club in Episkopi which is regarded by members as a hidden gem.
It is describ described as a challenging 18-hole layout locate located with breathtaking coastal views. The British Army Golf Club in Sennelager, Germany, is set in what are described as beautiful surroundings.
There are only 2,850 troops serving in Germany, down from 19,000 in 2010.
A senior defence source who asked not to be named said: “Michael Fallon was right. Why do we need three in Cyprus and two in Yorkshire? It’s nonsense. We have almost as many courses today as 20 years ago when the armed forces were much bigger.”
Yesterday the MOD said it plans to sell four courses this year and added: “They are financed by military users, their families and members of public.”