Grant Butler, a committee member of Hedgehope Golf Club, has a straightforward message for members and the local community: “use it or lose it“.
According to The Southland Times, the club is facing challenges as volunteer support dwindles, memberships decline, and fewer people visit. The burden of maintenance is falling on a small group of individuals, leaving them questioning whether they can continue.
Located about 25km from Invercargill, Hedgehope Golf Club boasts a scenic nine-hole country course with stunning views of the Hokonui Hills and plenty of challenges. However, its future is uncertain as it struggles to attract enough players.
“It’s going to close unless something changes,” Butler said.
Playing membership has dropped away
“Use it or lose it is the message we would like to get out there. The club is not in financial difficulty. The playing membership has dropped away. There is a few of us that put a lot of work into maintaining the course, about 12 hours a week, doing various jobs like cutting the fairway, rough, greens and various other jobs, to keep the course at a playable standard but we aren’t seeing enough playing.”
Butler said 55 years of history was help in the club and he hope the local community would get involved.
“We get between eight and 12 playing on a Saturday, and when I rejoined three years ago, that would have been 20-22. When I joined initially 25 years ago it was 40-plus members, playing on a Saturday.
“It’s a beautiful piece of real estate and a great part of the world. Where else can you see the Hokonuis while out enjoying the sun and playing golf. We get to a Saturday and see very few numbers and think ‘why are we doing this?’
“Unless we see and uptake of local communities and the Southland public use it, then our decision could well be to close.
“We have had a few new members which is great, they are joining, but we are not seeing them play.
“All this work is being done and the course isn’t being used enough.”
Memberships at eh club are only $200 per year, which makes it a very affordable option for young and old to get involved in the wonderful game.
If you’d like to help out at the course, contact Grant Butler to discuss options so we don’t lose a wonderful 9-hole local course.
You can call (027) 829-5911 or email hedgehope@golf.co.nz.
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