1st Draft

Confusion over the future of Royal Norwich Golf Club

Oct 22 2009

MYSTERY surrounds the future of Norwich’s oldest golf club, following rumours of its impending closure and sale for building land.

Last week the Eastern Herald received a letter from a golfer concerned about the future of the Royal Norwich Golf Club, after he had heard reports that it would close in the next 12 months.

The letter, from a Mr B Ownley of Spixworth, said he had been a member of the club for the past 23 years and was a regular user of the local golf course.

Mr Ownley said: "My wife and I enjoy a game of golf. We went up to the course on a lovely sunny day only to find that there were just the two of us out on the course all morning.

"When we returned to the club house the barmaid, told us that the staff had been told unofficially that the club was to close and the land sold for housing development."

Despite numerous attempts to get their side of the story, the Eastern Herald failed to speak to any officials from the golf club this week.

Further enquiries with local Broadland councillors and the business community failed to shed any more light on the club’s future.

Broadland councillor and businesswoman, Elen Jones said: "We’re not sure what’s going on there. I can confirm that an outline planning application has been received for a significant part of the site and that it is currently being reviewed by officials.

Norwich City councillor for Hellesdon West, Mike Thomas said: "As far as I know, there have been no announcements it will close, but there has been a drop in membership recently. If this is the case, from my position as a councillor and a keen golfer I would ask people to support the club by using it."

Royal Norwich Golf Club was opened in 1905, and occupies approximately 73 acres of land, on either side of Drayton High Road. It was granted the title ‘Royal’ in 1931 following the Royal family regularly playing the course, whilst resident at Sandringham. However, in recent times the club has seen a steady fall in its membership numbers and increasing running costs.

The Eastern Herald contacted Mr Hugo White, current club captain who declined to make any comment.

However, the Herald has learned that a national building company has been contacted to discuss a joint building venture with a local entrepreneur businessman. Neither party would make any comment.

The club also has the unique distinction of playing host to a round of golf between three British Prime Ministers in Clement Atlee, Sir Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George.

Do you know anymore about this or any other story? If so, call us on 01603 424242.


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