Golf members ”back” RACV meger plans

Jane Emerick
About 80 per cent of Torquay Golf Club’s membership backs a draft proposal for a merger with RACV, according to a club member and local sport columnist.
The proposal went to members last week, proposing a three-level clubhouse, an extended pro shop, a gymnasium, a 25-metre indoor heated swimming pool, a 100-seat bistro, a 150-seat “fine dining” restaurant and a function and convention facility for 250 people.
The proposal offered five to 15 years free membership depending on how long members had been with the club.
The RACV had also revealed plans to build apartments on the course as part of the merger.
Spencer Leighton, a member since 1980, was in favour of the merger and believed that most members agreed with him.
“I’d say 80 per cent are in favour,” Mr Leighton said.
“Some are worried about what’s going to happen in the future.
“Some people like the idea of a country course but we already have 1000-plus members and it’s becoming difficult to get a game.”
Mr Leighton said the course needed to expand but could not afford it without the RACV’s help.
“Torquay is changing from country to city and we have to do the best we can for the future,” he said.
“With the higher price of water, golf clubs are getting hard to manage. A lot of courses have a difficult time guaranteeing their future.
“Recycled water would cost hundreds of thousands that we don’t have but it’s needed to keep us running.
“I’m very in favour of the merger. If we don’t join up I’m worried we’ll end up selling the land to survive.”
The proposal also outlined renovation of two holes and introduction of greywater, which would also flow to Torquay Football Club and the town’s public caravan park and foreshore.
Mr Leighton said membership costs would be the same as existing fees.
Members would probably vote on the plan later this month.
A spokesperson said the RACV did not want to comment on the draft proposal.
“We’re reasonably close to coming up with something but we’re really careful about jumping the gun,” he said.
“At this stage it has definitely got to go through a process and there’s still a fair amount of work that has to be done.”