A NORTH Belfast golf club whose future is in doubt is hoping to sell off land in a bid to remain open.
Fortwilliam Golf Club, founded in 1891, has written to members to inform them of the "unanimous consensus" by the club council that the sale of a "large plot of land would have the potential to realise the sort of funds required" to keep the club afloat.
"Put simply, the future existence of our club is now under serious threat unless drastic measures to increase our income are put in place as soon as possible," the club said.
It is among hundreds of golf courses across Ireland currently closed, but facing significant financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year's captain at the Downview Avenue club was John Linehan, the famous Belfast entertainer who plays the character May McFettridge.
In a letter to members, honorary secretary Michael Graham sets out the "financial position we currently find ourselves in" during the "uncertain and unprecedented times we are experiencing" and said they are considering selling land close to the Antrim Road, which had the potential to raise "a significant seven figure sum".
The plot of land would take in the "entirety of our 7th hole, a significant portion of the 6th along with a portion of the rear of the 3rd teeing ground". This section of land borders the Antrim Road near St Gerard's Church and houses to the south of Serpentine Road.
Mr Graham said the closure of the club bar and loss of visitor’s green fees during the pandemic "not only damaged the immediate financial position of our club but will continue to do so for the foreseeable future" with debts possibly totalling more than £330,000.
The letter explains that the club council last week discussed potential solutions to the financial problems, including a previous suggestion about obtaining planning permission in order to sell two residual pieces of land, which had been unsuccessful.
And it adds: "In order to realise a sufficient sum, it follows that the piece of land for sale must be significant and preferably adjacent to the Antrim Road.
"The plot of land that council based its discussions on is broadly the entirety of our 7th hole, a significant portion of the 6th along with a portion of the rear of the 3rd teeing ground.
"The club is currently investigating the potential value of this land which is likely to be a significant seven figure sum."
The letter sets out how the course would be changed to accommodate the sale of land, including the construction of replacement holes on the remaining land.
Mr Graham said while the "initial ideas remain open for debate, however, it is clear there are indeed options open to the club to retain a challenging 18-hole layout even with the sale of the area in question".
"It should also be stressed that, whereas this proposal is primarily about survival, it also provides an opportunity to present a new Fortwilliam fit for purpose for years to come," he added.
"I realise you may initially be shocked at the scale of this suggestion, as were the council at first.
"However, we also know that, like all our members, you want a club that is financially secure, playable all year round and with the potential to see us through very many years to come.
"When you examine the current and projected financial position, however, it is obvious that drastic and immediate action is essential."
He said while no decisions had been taken, it was the council's "intention to expedite an urgent investigation before events overtake us completely".
In a statement last night, Mr Graham told The Irish News: “The situation at Fortwilliam Golf Club pales into insignificance when the human cost of the current crisis is considered.
“That being said, the closure of our entire operation is crippling the club financially and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
“The entirety of the membership of Fortwilliam would no doubt agree that the club is a valuable asset to north Belfast and it is essential to the wider community that it weathers the effects of the current situation.
“Any decision to sell land, however, will not be made without a proposal being put to members and a democratic vote taken.
“Prior to the lockdown, the golf industry was already facing financial uncertainties due to membership decline. This has already led to the closure of numerous clubs across the UK and Ireland over recent years.”
The Irish News reported in March that a Dublin property group had put a £37.5 million proposal to Balmoral Golf Club in south Belfast to relocate its course four miles away in order to build houses at the Malone site. The deal would include a new course designed by Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, a cash sum and the club's debts paid off.
