Golf Club Management (GCM) are reporting that at least four golf clubs have announced they are closing

Channels Golf Club in Essex, Kyngs Golf and Country Club in Leicestershire, Glinisla Golf Club in Scotland and Padbrook Park Golf Club in Exeter have all decided to end the golf side of their businesses after many years each.

Golf Club Management has also found other clubs with serious concerns for their futures.

Channels Golf Club, which was established in 1974, is to close its 18-hole course next year to make way for weddings and functions. The traditional members' club will continue to operate its driving range and nine-hole course.

Spokesman Richard Stubbings said the closure was due to a fall in members.

Two weeks ago Kyngs Golf and Country Club closed down without warning.

No notice of the shutdown was given to members and a sign, put up on the padlocked gates, directs anyone with queries to two estate agents.

The complex, which includes a brick and tile barn, purpose-built greenkeeping shed and a temporary clubhouse, was put on the market for almost half a million pounds in April.

Member Glenn Beardsworth said: "A few weeks ago we heard it had sold and an announcement was going to be made.

"We all thought we'd get a letter, email or text but no one heard anything. Then I was told it was all shut, locked and bolted.

Glenisla GC will close at the end of October. It is understood to have been sold to housing developers in late September.

The course had been on sale by owner Nick Somerville for some time.

A member of staff said: "It came as a real shock to everyone to be called into a meeting when we told that the sale of the land to a property developer had been completed the day before.W

"As you can imagine, everybody is very upset. We have been told that there's a chance a new nine-hole course may be developed on the site at some point in the future but, if that happens, it would be years from now."

Padbrook Park is closing down its golf side after a fall in members.

Owner Susan Scargill said: "We recognise the important role that Padbrook's golf course has played and over the years, how it's inspired our valued members. It's because of this history, our loyal members and all of the good times had, closing the course was not a decision Padbrook Park took lightly."

"Although this is sad news in some respects, we have to look ahead and be reflective of the current market."

The club will continue to offer footgolf, she said.

Read the full story from Golf Club Management HERE