\t\t\t\tSome of the greatest names in the game have worked their magic at West Middlesex Golf Club, but now the historic course is set to close with local authorities removing its long-term lease.<\/p>\n
West Middlesex Golf Club has quite the history. <\/p>\n
James Braid, Willie Park Jr and JH Taylor \u2013 with 12 Open Championship victories between them \u2013 as well as renowned architect Fred Hawtree have all put their mark on the 135-year-old layout, which was founded in 1891 as Ealing Golf Club, around 15 miles west of central London. It has also counted esteemed artists Hal Ludlow and Harry Rountree as former captains. <\/p>\n
Now, though, it faces the prospect of being closed.<\/p>\n
West Middlesex, which today has a membership north of 400 and employs almost 30 people, has had its 75-year lease revoked by Ealing Council, which, The Golf Business reports<\/a>, wants to \u201csell a 2.27-acre plot to a company that acted as debt funder to bring the golf club out of administration in 2022 to recover its investment\u201d. <\/p>\n The report adds that the club has been \u201cgranted a short-term \u2018excluded lease\u2019 allowing it to remain on the site only until September 30, 2027\u201d \u2013 though this type of lease \u201ccarries no automatic right of renewal\u201d.<\/p>\n The club\u2019s general manager, Alex Finch, says Ealing Council will \u201clook to reallocate the land for property development and other unknown projects\u201d and that he was not consulted during the process that could lead to its closure. <\/p>\n In a message on the club\u2019s website, Finch wrote: \u201cWe want to be clear \u2013\u00a0we are not opposing the Council\u2019s plan for this site.\u00a0Our goal is simple. We are asking Ealing Council for a seat at the table so we can be part of the conversation regarding the future of this land. We believe there is a way forward that serves the Council\u2019s broader vision while preserving a historic community asset.\u201d<\/p>\n In a petition approaching 5,000 signatures, Finch described West Middlesex as a club that \u201coffers more than just a venue for sport \u2013 it is a vibrant social hub complete with a clubhouse, bar, and restaurant\u201d that \u201cisn\u2019t just open to a privileged few\u201d and \u201cprides itself on accessibility and inclusivity\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n