Golfers desert doomed Handsworth golf course ahead of closure

Dec 31 2009 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Mail

GOLFERS have been voting with their feet by deserting Birmingham’s doomed Hilltop golf course, new figures show.

The 18-hole municipal course in Handsworth, which city council bosses intend to close at the end of March, made a £240,000 loss last year.

Just over 27,000 rounds of golf were sold in 2008-09, little more than half the 47,600 rounds sold five years ago.

Accounts released by city leisure chief Martin Mullaney, show that Birmingham’s seven municipal courses have become a drain on council resources.

In 2004/05 the city’s courses were in £209,000 in the red, but by 2008-09 the figure had soared to £670,000 despite a new pricing structure designed to drive up custom and cut the losses.

Coun Mullaney (Lib Dem Moseley & Kings Heath) wants private sector partners to take over responsibility for investing in and running the courses.

More than 60 organisations, including hotel, pub and leisure companies, have already expressed an interest. Coun Mullaney said council-run courses would continue to lose money because Birmingham and the surrounding area was now “saturated” with rival private courses that have sprung up over the past 20 years.

Many of the 90 private courses within 25 miles of Birmingham offer better facilities than the council at no greater cost to members.

Coun Mullaney said: “We need to significantly upgrade our club house facilities, so they are at the same standard as those on private golf courses.

“The council does not have the money to invest in new club houses, nor in additional facilities. We do believe the private market would be prepared to invest in these new facilities.”

He defended the “difficult” decision to close Hilltop, but added that he would agree a stay of execution if someone could be found to run the course.

If no one comes forward, Hilltop will be maintained as a public open space for walkers using the Sandwell Valley wildlife and nature corridor.