'Golf's future at L'Ancresse IS safe'
GOLF will remain at L'Ancresse post 31 December 2016 – even if talks with the Vale Commons Council break down irretrievably, the clubs say.
An offer – thought to be in the region of £50,000 per annum – has now been placed by Culture and Leisure and, say golfers' official representatives, the VCC has been warned that, if it is not accepted, 'steps will be taken'.
Patrick McKeary, president of the Royal Guernsey Golf Club and chairman of the golf sub-committee, says it has been seeking an agreement – unsuccessfully – with the VCC for many years.
And despite claims by the VCC that golf has until 31 December to accept terms of a new 25-year lease or the VCC will 'consider alternative arrangements, such as a municipal golf course', the clubs are confident that their long-term future is sound.
'In 2017, our members will continue playing and neither Culture and Leisure, or any other body will be able to throw our members off the course,' said McKeary.
That optimism is based upon legal advice that the VCC does not own the land on which golf is played.
'We do not believe that the VCC owns any land within the golf course area,' says the golf sub-committee.
'That is why it cannot grant to anybody a lease of the golf course land or any part of it. The States also does not claim to be the owner of the land within the golf course area.'
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