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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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A popular Chelmsford golf club will close its doors next year, citing 'substantial losses' in a letter sent out to members.
Channels Golf Club in Little Waltham, which charges its member £1,110 a year in subs, will instead turn its attentions to hosting wedding receptions and private functions after shutting the 18-hole course on March 31, 2017.A letter, sent to members, has been seen by Essex Live.
It reads: "It is with enormous sadness and regret that we write to inform you that from March 31, the main 18-hole golf course at Channels will be closing and membership will cease. "The decision to close the course has not been taken in haste. Over the past four years, the golf business has sustained substantial losses which have become untenable. "The club is much more than a business to us. However, the ongoing decline in club membership and participation in the sport has adversely affected our club, as it has many others across the country."
READ MORE: Chelmsford Channels travellers seen pooing on golf course and racing horse and traps around estate A study recently undertaken by England Golf – the amateur game's governing body - shows that club membership in England has dropped by 20 per cent in recent years, however the nine-hole course and driving range will remain open at Little Channels.
Richard Stubbings, of the Cliffords Group, whose family has run Channels for more than 40 years, said: "The closure of the course is sadly due to the decline in membership and high costs involved in maintaining it. The course will close in March 2017 "Studies show that changing habits and attitudes have impacted on traditional golf clubs and many golfers now prefer the pay and play model to a membership club."
The Channels complex is now set to undergo a restructuring, including investment into the wedding venues, restaurants and 15th-century Channels Lodge hotel.
"The aim for the future is to make our wedding venues more prestigious while integrating our other amenities, especially Channels Bar & Brasserie, into community life," Mr Stubbings added.
READ MORE: Missing Chelmsford cat allegedly kidnapped by Channels travellers is found over two miles from home "In addition to this, we plan to lay on events for local residents to enjoy, like farmers markets, crafts and Christmas fairs, and beer and music festivals, which we believe will create interest in the area." The venue also hosts weddings
Following the closure of the 18-hole Channels course, complimentary memberships are set to be offered to current members at either the neighbouring Little Channels course or Warley Park Golf Club.
The letter sent out to members continues: "We are sure that many of you will have questions surrounding the closure. "Before closing, both the family and the management would like to express our sincere thanks for your valued membership to the club over the years and very much hope that you will still be able to enjoy playing golf at one or both of our courses."
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Daryl Fenton
Handicap: 12
essex
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 40
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I for one will be sad to see this place go always thought that once you got through the first couple of holes it was a nice interesting and varied course and was always a little surprised that more games were not played here.
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Ian Mullins
Handicap: 20
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 378
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Me too. I hit my first ever round of 80 here. It was a good course but I guess the writing was on the wall when they sold a lot of it off for housing some years ago.... a great course! #shame
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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I really should read things properly before copy and pasting things.
Sorry about the couple of bits not relevant to the golf. :(
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Steve 'The Powe...
Handicap: 21
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 288
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Such a pity to see the demise of another club. The characterisyics of golf continue to develop, more and more seem to favour a nomadic approach to golf, i.e. going where the best value might be had. I know that many member's clubs do rely on more than just annual membetship revenues. Casual green fees often accrue more than memberships... Channels was always welcoming and an interesting layout, lots of water and holes designed to tempt those glory shots. A sad loss...
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Paul Houghton
Handicap: 16
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 136
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Chelmsford GC is now full and Benton hall is filling up quick. I heard that channels had lost over 600 members in recent years, they could not continue. Rivenhall has had a few enquiries but we are not a members club, maybe Stockbrook or Crondon Park will get a few?
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TSG
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