East Midlands golf club to close as its membership drops to just 75

An East Midlands golf club is to close down early next year amid rumours that it will be converted into housing, after its membership fell to just 75.

North Luffenham Golf Club, in which the land is leased from the Ministry of Defence, has said it will close down on March 31, 2019 – the same day that Maywood Golf Club in Derbyshire will also cease trading.

Derbyshire golf club announces it will close down next year

Several golf clubs pick early April for their annual subscription membership renewal date, while Brexit is also due to take place in late March 2019.

According to the Rutland and Stamford Mercury, the club has also fallen victim to redevelopment plans to create a garden village of more than 3,000 homes, even though the golf club was not originally included in the plans.

‘Officials were led to believe the course wouldn’t be affected when the army leaves the site in 2021,’ it reports.

‘The uncertainty over the future of the site combined with dwindling membership numbers forced the club to review its options, but they failed to come up with an option that is financially viable.’

Club president Malcolm Hird said: “This has been devastating news for many of the members who have been with the club for many years, some from the very beginning in 1976.

“It would be difficult to replicate the spirit we have here at any other club.”

At its peak, membership totalled about 250 people.

Club secretary Helen Wood said many of the current members are elderly people who may not be able to play at other courses.

She said: “For some of our members this is the only time they get out. Some have said they won’t go anywhere else so they won’t get the exercise and company that they need.

“They are all very sad that it has come to this.”

Three employees will be made redundant.

Club captain Andrew Boyce said: “The decision was taken with a great deal of regret and sadness.”