a guide to playing golf around london
golf courses
Dukes Meadows supported by Tim Henman
0112 days
by citygolfer
in golf courses
Avid supporter of Dukes Meadows owner, Stephen Marks, The London Evening Standard ran a story in today’s paper about Tim Henman making a speech at a public meeting to decide the fate of the Tennis dome at the site. Apparently Hounslow Borough Council has not demanded that it be dismantled, so a success for Tennis and Marks fans.
Unfortunately for golfers, the dome is just for tennis players. London hasn’t had a dome for golf since the one at Wormwood Scrubs was taken down.
Central London Golf Centre plans
2479 days
by citygolfer
in golf courses
The Central London Golf Centre is under threat from developers.
Apparently plans have been submitted to redevelop the site which includes the course and Springfield Hospital. There’s been some very organised opposition, see here http://www.neighboursofspringfield.co.uk/ and Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey have commented in support of the local residents’ campaign.
It’s hard to argue in favour of a golf course when there’s the possibility of new housing or newer health facilities, and the London Golf Centre is by no means a course design of note, but, the London Golf Centre occupies a special place in London golf. It’s the closest golf course to central London and it is open to the public. It’s a popular place and provides an open space for sport in South London.
I haven’t looked at the planning application, but hear that it spells the end of the golf course in favour of housing, health facilities, commerical units, and a school. I think there will still be a mental health unit there, where it has been since the 1800s, but don’t know what kind and how reduced.
It would be a shame if the developer cannot find a way to retain some kind of golfing facility within the development.