Golf club faces closure after sale to neighbouring vineyard

Martin Ormrod, owner of West Chiltington Golf Club, pictured in 2011 by Steve Cobb SC11300299a

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West Chiltington Golf Club has been sold to a neighbouring vineyard and will close with '˜immediate effect'.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the golf club said Nyetimber Vineyard, based in nearby Gay Street, has agreed to takeover the land and buildings owned by the club.

The statement stressed owners Martin and Debs Ormrod had made the ‘difficult decision’ as the course was no longer ‘financially viable’.

It read: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the closure of West Chiltington Golf Club.

Nyetimber Vineyard. Photo by Derek Martin

“A combination of rural location, extreme weather patterns, rising costs and the downturn in the golf market have all resulted in it no longer being financially viable to continue.

“As a result we have decided to stop our activities and have now agreed a takeover of the land and buildings by neighbouring Nyetimber Vineyard.

“As a consequence of this sale, West Chiltington Golf club will cease trading with immediate effect.”

Construction of the golf course began in April 1987 and was completed a year later, in June 1988.

The site was bought by the Ormrods in 2009.

The statement added: “We realise it will be a shock to most people and we want you to know that it was an incredibly difficult decision to make and one that was not taken lightly and took a long time to come to.

“We would like to thank all our members, staff and friends of the course for their support over the last six years and thank you for making our time here so special - we will miss you very much and hope to keep in touch.”

Nyetimber began planting grapes in September 1988 - just three months after the golf course was built.

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