Historic London golf course to shut in June

A century-old municipal golf course in London has been told it will close in June.

It comes after a handful of Scotland’s municipals were granted reprieves in recent months.

Hollandbush, in South Lanarkshire, Dalmuir, in Clydebank, and the two courses at Caird Park, in Dundee, have all been saved.

Meanwhile, several in south-east England have suffered different fates.

As councils have tried to deal with housing shortages and budget deficits, a number of municipal golf courses have fallen victim since the start of the century.

Enfield Council closed Whitewebbs Park Golf Course in 2021, while Lewisham Council closed Beckenham Place Park in 2016.

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But the most recent closure is set to take place in West London, as Ealing Council have decided to close the nearly 100-year-old Perivale Park Golf Course.

The nine-hole course will be converted into a park as part of the council’s commitment to create ten new parks in the borough.

It said a public consultation showed that almost two thirds of residents supported the move.

The golf club wrote on its website: “It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of the Perivale Park Course.

“Despite the overwhelming public support with 3500 online petitions and 2500 signatures, Ealing Council decided to permanently close the century-old course.

“This decision disregarded the importance of the amenity to the community. We thank all those who supported us in trying to preserve the Perivale Park Course.”

Golfers who teed it up at Perivale launched a petition last September, as it faced potential closure.

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Those behind the petition, which surpassed 3,700 signatures, said: “After nearly 100 years Ealing Council want to close Perivale Park Golf Course and rewild the area.

“It is a very diverse, inclusive and accessible club open to everyone used regularly by all ethnic backgrounds, young, old and all abilities at an affordable price, supporting people’s health and well-being.”

Perivale opened in 1930 and is the only nine-hole municipal course left in Ealing.

Its replacement will open to the public at the same time as the golf course closes and could eventually become part of a regional park.

“The Elizabeth II Park has transformed east London, and a park of this size has the potential to have a similar positive effect on the borough and west London too,” said Councillor Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council.

Several social media users have hit out at the “appalling” plans.

One said on X: “Vanity project. No regard for the older people who use the course.”