Golf club members considering management takeover

Hull Council, owners of Springhead Park, had been asked to consider selling it to allow it to invest in its sister course, Sutton Park, prompting fears that the 80-year-old Springhead course may be carved up for development.

Members have now been told the council will instead seek a long-term lease of Springhead – and that it will remain a golf course – while the council would retain full ownership of Sutton.

The portfolio holder for image and culture, Coun John Robinson, said: “I’m happy to confirm that on Friday afternoon I visited Springhead Golf Club and met members for a discussion about our intentions to do with their golf club.

“I said straight from the start that as far as a Liberal Democrat administration was concerned, whatever happens to the ownership of Springhead, we have stated very clearly that the golf course must remain a golf course.

“We are also more than committed to the role it plays as an area of bio-diversity and as a leisure facility in that part of the city.

“We will be proposing that in terms of the two golf courses, the council retains full ownership of Sutton Park and considers a long-term lease arrangement for Springhead. We had a very positive meeting and members told me they felt reassured by what was said.”

The council currently spends £120,000 a year subsidising both courses.

Springhead president Andy Steele said: “We are delighted it’s going to remain as a golf course and we hope we can retain the clubhouse as well because it’s of historical significance to the city.

“What we’ve got to do now is see if we are in a position to bid for that tender. We will be trying to seek funds and see if we can make a viable bid. If a private investor comes in over us and is able to submit a better tender, at least the golf course will get the investment it needs.”