A fundraiser has been launched as part of plans to reintroduce golf at the Approach Golf Course in Bath, with a charity set to get involved to look after the site.
Approach golf course at the High Common in Bath
Nearly eighteen months on since the temporary closure of the golf course, and following the rejection of a bid for a commercial operator to take on the site earlier this year, there is once again hope that the 18 hole course will be used again.
Since the 20-year contract bid was rejected in February, a group of residents and golfers have remained in discussion with Bath & North East Somerset Council, and a low-cost solution has been put forward for the greens and tee areas to be restored and maintained by a local sports charity.
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise an initial £15,000 to help the plans succeed, bringing the sprinkler system back into use, as well as allowing greens to be cut, repaired and reseeded alongside six months of regular maintenance.
Once the course is up and running again, there are plans to re-establish ongoing funding with golfers encouraged to donate when they play and being able to hire clubs on site as before.
Ben Reed, who’s petition to keep the golf course open has received almost 5,000 signatures, said: “Bath Approach Course is an important and cherished green space, where generations of Bathonians and visitors have had their first introduction to golf, spent time with family and friends, and enjoyed the views across the city.
“It’s far more than just a golf course, with open access for all – but to keep it this way in the long term ongoing funding is required, and golf is the best way to provide this.
“Please consider donating to help restore this fantastic community facility. Pitch and putt has been played here for more than 60 years, and there are few other outdoor, family-friendly activities available in the city.
“It would be great to see people playing golf again soon. Any donation you can spare will be put to good use in restoring the course.”
Estimated costs for specific tasks at the Approach site include:
- £50 – One hole to be maintained for a month
- £200 – All the greens to be cut for a week
- £500 – Fund the reseeding of the grass on the greens
- £1,000 – The entire course to be maintained for a month
You can find out more and donate via the GoFundMe page here.
