RUMOURS that Alton Golf Club is to be sold off for development have been firmly denied this week and an assurance given that, far from going under, the club is "at the beginning of an exciting new era". "It is a good time to join because we are on the edge of something very special," said club president Bob Dickson. While acknowledging that the club has weathered one of the more difficult periods in its 97 year history, Mr Dickson confirmed that it is now on the road to recovery and will be a force to be reckoned with in the not too distant future. He has categorically denied fears, expressed to The Herald, that the club is being taken over by a company whose only interest would be in redeveloping the Old Odiham Road site for housing. On the contrary, members have shown unanimous support for the engagement of a management consultancy whose aim is "not just to catch up", but to put Alton Golf Club ahead of the game. Mr Dickson has confirmed that of the 91 votes cast at the AGM not one was against the proposal to use the services of "Circle of Success" to breathe new life into the club. Some members had even cared enough to vote by proxy, he said. The need to take this course of action has been brought about by a gradual dwindling over recent the years of membership numbers. The club, which currently has 240 members on its books, lost 60 members last year - a loss which triggered positive action. Apart from natural movement, the decline in numbers has been put down to the opening up in the area of more 18-hole clubs and of pay-and-play facilities. While the course at Alton is only nine holes it is valued as a challenging course for serious players and a good test of golf which enables members to hold their own against other clubs in the area. Circle of Success director Gordon Hill believed the quality and standard of the course to be an excellent selling point and one which the club should build on. He also harbours hopes for extending the course but that is a longer term goal which will depend on availability of land and on increasing membership numbers. For Circle of Success, this is a golden opportunity to "turn the club round" and to open up new horizons. Its approach has been one of inclusion with autumn workshops attracting up to 70 members at a time keen to formulate ideas and to have their say in the future. Founded in 1908 "for the well-being of the people of Alton", in 1931 a non-trading limited company was formed to own and care for the land on which the club is built. The club itself is managed by a committee. According to the constitution the only way the land can be sold is if the club ceases to exist. Negotiations with Circle of Success are expected to reach conclusion by the end of March and will be subject to a satisfactory agreement with Alton Golf Club Ltd. Mr Hill believed the club is making the right decision. "The club has had the courage to recognise it has a problem and to bring somebody in to do something about it." Convinced that Alton Golf Club has enormous potential for success he is working with the club to put together a package to bring money into the company to enable it to go forward. He assured: "We have no intention of selling off the land - in fact the club constitution will prevent us from doing that. "Our reason for being here is to run a business. We have done some market research which suggests there is an opportunity here to build membership numbers back up again. "To do that we need to see golf continue here and to find ways of attracting new members. "This is not just about money - we will not achieve a turn around unless we market and manage the club properly." While this is the company's first venture into golf, Circle of Success has a proven track record of providing management and consultancy services around the world. "We see the golf club as a business and think we can make a difference here. If we didn't that, we wouldn't be thinking of making an investment," said Mr Hill who sees the challenge of the course as great differentiator against other courses in the area and an attraction for real golfers. Added to that, according to club president Bob Dickson, Alton Golf Club has "a wonderful atmosphere - it has always been a very friendly club and we welcome new people". The club is keen to attract people of all ages - it has a good ladies' section, strong senior section, a strong junior team and has a good competitive track record. New plans are likely to include the development of the bar and catering facilities which benefit from a stunning outlook over the course. Mr Dickson was adamant: "There is no hidden agenda. Just at this moment we are having to keep the detailed plans to ourselves. But what I can say is that the future is bright for Alton Golf Club and when the right time comes we will want to shout about it."
