“We’ve really lost a grassroots sporting facility”: Rosny golf course left in limbo
Supporters of the Rosny Park Public Golf Course are praying the sport can continue at the site, a possibility which looks further away than ever. IS THIS THE END FOR THE COURSE? >>
Tasmania
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The future of the Rosny Park Public Golf Course is in limbo after the Clarence Council reached an impasse at its meeting on Monday, but supporters are still holding out hope.
Clarence Council general manager Ian Nelson released a report into the tender process for the management of the golf course, revealing new estimates it would cost between $150,000 and $200,000 to operate the course on an interim basis.
In his report Mr Nelson recommended the site be maintained as a public green space within the limitations of the budget, $50,000 for mowing.
An alternative motion was put forward by Ald Luke Edmunds who moved council continue to maintain the Rosny Golf Course greens to an adequate standard until a new operator is found.
Both were lost 6-6.
“Some people might consider golfs days at the course are numbered but I don’t think golf is dead yet,” Ald Edmunds said on Monday.
Several Alderman disagreed.
“This has run its course,” Ald Dean Ewington said on Monday
“If there was someone out there that was going to operate this course, we would have found them and we haven’t.
On Thursday Mayor Doug Chipman said in order for golf to continue at the site an operator would need to step in and it would need to be financially viable.
“If somebody came along with an organisation and had the resources to run it, council would certainly be open to that,” Ald Chipman said
“The general manager’s authorised to keep looking after the golf course by doing the mowing but he doesn’t have a budget to maintain the greens,” Ald Chipman said.
But with six other golf courses in the Clarence area, and two more under construction, he said it difficult to understand if more ratepayer’s money should be used.
“The real question is do we use more of ratepayers money to subsidise golf at the site when there are six others in Clarence?” Ald Chipman said.
“Some of those courses are open to the public.”
“I think there is good prospect for the future of golf in some form as part of the city heart project.”
Former member of the golf club and supporter, Pat McMahon hopes it won’t be the end for the Rosny Park Public Golf Course.
“Golf was played there since 1916, it’s the first site in Tasmania to be given the royal charter,” Mr McMahon said.
“This golf course is unique, there’s nothing like this.
“We’re so lucky to have this 6km from the CBD.”
Mr McMahon said it would be a loss on a number of levels.
“As ratepayers, we’ve lost a sporting facility, we’ve lost the only golf course you can catch public transport to,” he said.
“It was affordable to play, the private clubs, they’ll let you play, but it’s expensive.
“We’ve really lost a grassroots sporting facility.”
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Originally published as “We’ve really lost a grassroots sporting facility”: Rosny golf course left in limbo
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