Members buy golf club

Dec 27 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

AMBITIOUS golfers have defied the global credit crunch to complete a £500,000 deal to buy their Northumberland course and clubhouse.

The 739 members of Bedlingtonshire golf club have an extra reason for raising a glass or two in celebration this Christmas after becoming the proud owners of the 18-hole course.

They have completed a historic deal to buy the facilities from Wansbeck District Council.

Golfers first teed off on the par 72 course – which was created in the 1960s on what was once one of the deepest opencast coal mines in Europe – in 1972 after the land had been reclaimed and landscaped.

Seven years ago the committee and members took over the running of the club from the council and, since then, have set their sights on buying it. They have now done so with the aid of a mortgage from NatWest bank and a £50,000 interest-free loan from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

Earlier this year the council agreed to restructure the phasing of the deal to help the club overcome potential borrowing problems sparked by the emerging credit crunch.

Now it is hoped that some of the money raised by the sale will be used by Northumberland’s new unitary council to improve community facilities in Bedlington.

Yesterday golf club chairman Allan Bell said: “Purchasing the club is not only a great day for our members but also for the people of Bedlington, because it safeguards the future of golf in the town for generations to come.

“Our plans now are to make this one of the best clubs in the North East.”

Mr Bell said that since taking over the management of the club, members had invested almost £250,000 in developing its facilities – including new drainage, grass cutting machinery, new tee boxes, replacing changing room lockers, planting trees and refurbishing the clubhouse.

“We will be continuing that programme of investment. The club is a tremendous amenity in Bedlington.”

One of Bedlington’s former young players is Kenneth Ferrie from Ashington who is now enjoying success on both the European and American professional golf tours.

Bedlington councillor Brian Richmond, said: “We will now be pressing the Northumberland unitary authority to reinvest the sale proceeds in this area.”