Plans have been revealed to remodel Southport Golf Links into “an excellent golfing attraction for Southport and beyond”.
Sefton Council is seeking private investors to share their vision of remodelling the historic 44ha links course, and to transform the dilapidated Whitehouse Café.
It could lead to improvements in all elements of the course, from the playing course itself, practice facilities and the built facilities too.
It could also solve persistent flooding issues, which sees the course closed for a number of days during each year.
There is support for a driving range to be developed to complement the putting green already on site, and to upgrade the teaching and practice facilities available to users.
The local authority recognises that “significant capital investment is needed into the facilities in both the course and the café.
Sefton Council aims to continue to run the course, with the possibility of an independent operator in the Whitehouse Café who can provide a food and drink offer.
Professional Services, coaching and other enhanced visitor experience offerings can also be explored.
Southport Golf Links is one of Sefton’s two municipal golf courses and is located on ‘England’s Golf Coast’.
It is one of a chain of ‘links’ courses in the region, and is notable within the golfing community as it was designed by the celebrated golf architect HS Colt and opened in 1912.
The council says that there is “much potential and opportunities to develop the user experience, and income generated from both the course and its build facilities for players and non-golfers alike”.
Last year it carried out a ‘Soft Market Test’, seeking expressions of interest with three options:
It is now due to start a tender process with three options for investment:
- Investment in the Whitehouse Café
- Investment in the course
- Investment in both
Sefton Council said “There were a number of interesting options offered including both course and Whitehouse specific options.”
A report on the options will be discussed by Sefton Council’s Cabinet next Thursday (10th March.
In her report, Head of Operational In-House Services Michelle Williams said: “Southport Golf Links is a popular municipal course in the area however, participation is variable.
“The course operates at a surplus (generating more income than it costs to provide) but does not currently meet its income targets.
“The previous approach of reinvestment of income surplus to the target in the 2000’s came to an end some time ago, and now the infrastructure of the course is coming to the end of its useful life – capital investment is needed to improve the course and its facilities.
“The course investment would also include helping to resolve drainage issues and reduce the number of days when the course is closed due to waterlogging.
“A soft market testing exercise undertaken in 2021 confirmed the private sector interest in working with the council to develop the course and its facilities, and suggests a significant opportunity to tender formally to explore and understand the offers for investment in either, and / or the course and its buildings.”
The tender exercise follows a recent consultation which was carried out.
Michelle Williams said: “From the questionnaire responses it is fair to say that the respondents enjoy the course, even though they feel the off-course facilities are inadequate.
“The condition of the course is felt to be of an acceptable standard and respondents appreciate that it stays open most of the year compared to other local courses.
“Despite the poor condition of built facilities off the course, golfers do continue to use the course itself.
“Golfers would, however, like to see improvements in all elements of the course, from the playing course itself, practice facilities and the built facilities too, while non-golfers would like improvements to the Whitehouse Café especially.
“On the course itself, people would like to see improvements in and around the course including playing surfaces, hard infrastructure and improving the drainage.
“There was overwhelming support for a possible redesign of the course to improve it.
“Overall, the consultation has identified the need for significant investment in both the practice and built facilities at the course and has also identified where investment is needed on the course too.”
Currently the golf course is open to ‘pay and play’ golfers, who pay a green fee for each round, as well as those customers who prefer ‘contracted’ play based on a fixed sum.
The course operates at approximately 50% capacity and there are over 150 contract holders, who play over several days of the week.
The course has four resident clubs on site, one of whom has an independent clubhouse building for its members only. Two clubs utilise the Whitehouse building with one of these having a club room inside.
There is a small on-site golf shop, managed by Green Sefton staff that welcomes players and administers green fees as well as having a limited range of refreshments and golfing paraphernalia for sale.
The popularity of the course is founded on the fact that it offers a beginner course / golfing experience as well as a challenging test to more experienced golfers.
The course itself reaches a good standard for play and the cost of a contract greatly outprices / outcompetes the cost of local private golf clubs.
It therefore attracts golfers of a wide range of abilities.
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