New golf course fees proposal is criticised as 'misleading'
GOLF charges for non-members on the L'Ancresse course would be slashed under the latest proposal by the Vale Commons Council as the row over lease arrangements for the course continues.
The Royal Guernsey and L'Ancresse golf clubs need to renew their deal, which expires at the end of 2016. But a proposal for a £90,000-a-year charge – up from £100 – has already been rejected by the clubs.
The latest deal would involve £55,000 a year in rent, but the council would want to see non-member costs cut from £55 a round to £27.50, with the council taking a share from all players.
But the clubs' subcommittee chairman Patrick McKeary said the new proposals were misleading, since the council would pocket thousands of extra pounds from their cut.
Jurat Mike Tanguy has been heading up a VCC working party to try to resolve the lease.
The proposal would see £2.50 from each round of golf go to the VCC, while an extra £3.44 would be levied from non-members to promote the course.
Non-member charges would also be dropped from £55 per round to £27.50.
He said the latest proposal was fairer, as it would mean the council would benefit or suffer, if the number of golfers rose or fell.
'We accept the golf clubs are having a difficult time and membership is falling,' Jurat Tanguy said.
'The idea is you are opening up the course to more non-members, but within that there is a way to make money. We hope it is a sensible compromise.'
