Don’t give up on golf course yet

THE closure of a local authority golf course should be put on hold until talks can take place over its future, councillors said.

Last month, Anglesey Council voted to close the 51 acre Llangefni Golf Course this April and lease it out for grazing.

The decision was made on cost grounds, with the council facing a £17m funding gap over the next three years.

According to the council, who own and run the facility near Oriel Môn in Rhosmeirch, it has been losing around £28,000 annually for a number of years.

The associated driving range, which cost around £200,000, was developed in 2010 with money from the Ryder Cup Legacy Fund and will stay open until 2017.

Cllr Maurice Turner said during a meeting of Llangefni Town Council: “I am bitterly disappointed that the county council decided so abruptly to close this facility without any consultation.

“Llangefni golf course is a recognised academy for up and coming golfers, but what kind of signal is being given out if its being closed just like that?

“The Llangefni course isn’t like most others you find that are populated by hardened golfers who pay a yearly or monthly membership. A lot of the users of Llangefni are more ‘pick up and play’ types, but its closure could drive many away altogether.

“Noises are being made about attracting a future Island Games to Anglesey, but who would want to give us grants for new facilities if it’s decided to close them a few years down the line?

Cllr Berwyn Owen added: “I’m very disap- pointed for the staff, who I understand were told only shortly before the news appeared in the press.

“We are told that the facility has been losing £28,000 but not once have we seen those figures on black and white.”

Following the announcement that the course is to be closed, both Albert Owen MP and Rhun ap Iorwerth AM called on the local authority to delay the axe until all avenues have been explored, including allowing Llangefni Social Enterprise the chance to look at taking over the facility for the local community.

As a result, the town council decided to write to Anglesey Council requesting any closure is delayed until discussions can take place.

The course employs two full-time and two parttime members of staff, and also has a contracted golf course professional.