Meole Brace Municipal Golf Course

Meole Brace Municipal Golf Course is a 9-hole, council run, municipal golf course. It is situated in the suburb of Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, approximately 1.5 miles from the town centre.

The course

The course consists of an attractive 9-hole parkland course, with three short par-3 holes at the end of the course (golfers can either play 9 or 12 holes if they wish). In addition there is also a small pitch-and-putt course.

The course also has full changing facilities, a pro shop (with tuition available), along with a club hire facility for beginners/less serious golfers. In 2005, part of the site was acquired by Bannatyne's, with the bar area of the gym accessible for golfers.

The course is also home to the Meole Brace Golf Club, where members can obtain a handicap and play competitive golf, usually on Saturday mornings.

The course is known as an ideal course for a beginners, whilst being challenging for more expereinced players. The course is well established and well maintained for a municipal course. Being a municipal, green fees are low, and all levels of golfer are welcomed.

A scenic public footpath runs alongside the course perimeter, and is popular with locals.

History

The course was originally home to Shrewsbury Golf Club, who played at Meole Brace for many years until the 1970s. However, expansion in the Shrewsbury area, including construction of the Telford Way road into Shrewsbury reduced the size of the course and effectively split it in two (even today, the course is effectively split in two by the road, with specially constructed bridges and footpaths allowing golfers to cross the road safely)

Shrewsbury Golf Club were to relocate to a new site at Condover approximately 4 miles from Shrewsbury, and the Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council took over the Meole Brace site as a council-run municipal course.

In 2005, part of the site was sold to the health club chain Bannatyne's on a 100-year lease. A new Bannatyne's club opened in November 2005, with some major improvements to the golf club as part of the development. A new car-park was opened, with a modern clubhouse being incorporated into the design of the health club, including changing rooms, pro-shop and the sharing of the health club's bar area.

Possible Closure

The course's prominent location (close to both Shrewsbury town centre and the major routes bypassing the town) means that it is prime land for residential development. Local rumours have suggested that some of the course may be sold for the development, in particular the pitch and putt, for the construction of a hotel.

In April 2007, the local council revealed plans to sell the course for development. Usage of the course has fallen in recent years, in-line with a national downturn in the popularity of golf. Following a considerable outcry from local golfers and users of the public paths, the council has backtracked on its plans, and is currently carrying out a feasibility report into the course.

Opponents to the move point to the fact that the course generates 96% of its own revenue, making it the least subsidised council facility in the area [Cite web |url=http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/03/council-golf-course-tops-for-efficiency/ |title=Council golf course tops for efficiency |work=Shropshire Star |last=Todd |first=Steve ] . Despite the council's promise to build a new 18-hole course on the outskirts of town, local golfers have protested, feeling it would be hard to re-create such an established course.

Currently, there are no plans to sell the course, with any future plans dependent on the feasibility report. However, such was the outcry about the possible closure of the course, that any plans to sell the course would most likely meet fierce opposition from local golfers and residents.

References

External links

* [http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/03/council-pledge-over-golf-course/ Local Controversy]
* [http://www.shrewsbury.gov.uk/public/sport/facilities/golf/default.htm Course Details]
* [http://www.englishgolf-courses.co.uk/shropshire/meolebrace.php Course Review]