BIG-HEARTED golfers have saved their beloved club from a closure threat by netting £70,000 in just a week.
Members of Izaak Walton Golf Club near Stone were devastated last week to be told the club was facing financial difficulties and could be closed within a fortnight.
The appalling summer weather and falling memberships have hit the club, which employs 13 people, and prides itself on involvement with the local community.
Club professional Ben Delderfield- Brown and his assistant Luke Howe have worked with local schools to give youngsters the chance to take up the sport, and earlier this year it earned the prestigious Golf Club Mark.
Richard Britten, one of the club’s directors, said: “These are difficult times for all golf clubs across the country. Izaak Walton Golf Club found itself in financial difficulties and in danger of closure.
“The threat of a winding-up order from landlords bought a dark cloud over the future of the golf club and last week an emergency meeting was called and some 165 of the golf club members attended.
“The directors said that unless they could rely on financial support from all its members, it could not survive and would result in the closure of the golf club within 14 days.
“But this is a golf club with a big heart.
The members have overwhelmingly offered their support to the directors and employees and have set up a fundraising programme to ensure the future financial security of the club, with offers of donations ranging from £500 to £5,000.” Thanks to the members’ support the winding up order threat has now been lifted, Mr Britten said this week. They still have more fund-raising to do to meet their £110,000 target, which will be used to cover running costs.
Anyone else who would like to support the club should email Mr Britten at WAVERLEYCARE@aol.com
