Golf course closure looms
Ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois calls for the community to donate money to maintain the Bluff valley.
WARD 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois hopes to raise R400,000 for the maintenance of the Bluff’s ‘green lung valley’ at the Bluff National Park Golf Course through donations from the community.
A fund has been set up so the “maintenance of the Bluff’s green lung valley can be sustained,” said Du Bois. “It is in the interest of all Bluff property owners to rally to the assistance of the Bluff National Park Golf club in maintaining the ecology and natural beauty of the area occupied by the golf course.”
Maintenance will include grass cutting, tree pruning, removing vagrants, monitoring the weirs and mending fences. “We hope to raise sufficient funds to help sustain the club in the medium to long term,” said golf club manager, Marcus Ingram.
The need for the fund follows the formation of the Bluff Combined Facility Committee (BCFC) by various sport and recreation facilities on Monday, 14 July, to tackle the financial crisis that faces the golf club. Should there no significant change in the financial status of the club within three months from 1 July, it will be shut down.
“The aim of the fund is to raise R400,000. If 1,000 property owners each contribute just R400, the target will be reached. At just over R1 per day it is a small price to pay for our jewel of nature,” said Du Bois, who has already deposited his R400.
People can contribute to the fund by donating a once-off amount of R400 in a Nedbank current account, which is held by the Bluff National Park Golf Club. The account number is 107 9066 233, branch code, 130826 and donors are asked to provide their names as a reference.
Dear Editor,
Not being a Golf player – initially I didnt have too much interest in the Club. However, I think the open space is a value-add to the Bluff. To not keep it to some productive use will result in a host of negative impacts. I believe it can be retained with a bit of innovative thinking. Some potential uses (while still retaining golf as a key use) are:
1. Set up walking and jogging tracks,
2. Establish a morning “boot camp”
3. Set up mountain bike trails – linking through to the shopping centre
4. Allow a “dog walking” membership
5. Turn it to some other commercial uses
I am sure that there are lots of other innovative ideas from our community
Regards
Michael Hogg