A CALL for a campaign to save Shillinglee golf course has been made after claims that the site has been sold for possible development.

Shillinglee Park Golf Club described by its members as one of the top five nine-hole courses in the country, is believed to have been sold for an estimated half-a-million pounds to a local businessman.

In a letter sent out to all 270 members, owner Gary Baxter confirmed that the club, which has been in existence for 21 years, would close on August 31, but did not say what the new owner intended to do with the 59-acre site.

One club member spoke to The Herald of his shock and disappointment at the announcement, but was unwilling to give his name.

"No one's happy about this; it's a major shock," he said. "The site has been up for sale for about six months but we had been told that it would continue as a golf club."

He claimed that other clubs in the area are upset by the decision to close, as a large number of their members start playing at Shillinglee.

He praised the variety of other facilities the club provided.

"This is the only course in the area that welcomes people with open arms," the member said.

"We hold family events such as barbecues, and provide training for juniors who want to start. There's nowhere else locally that does that, as far as I'm aware."

A popular club, its members and players come from across the area, including Hindhead, Haslemere and Chiddingfold. That strong public support is the only thing that can save the club, the club member club believed.

"We want to get public support to try to change this," he said. "It's the only thing we can do."

Members' club chairman Mike James said that he is "very, very disappointed" by the impending closure.

"This is a great learning facility for everyone because you don't need a handicap to start playing," he said.

"It's a good place for people to get into the game, and it's just very sad that that will be lost."

The club is open seven days a week and seven people are employed to run it.It is open to the public as well as members.

Mr James said that players at Shillinglee had an "unique and strong spirit". The club itself provides opportunities for both the new and more experienced golfing enthusiast.

"There are lots of seniors who probably couldn't afford to play at one of the bigger clubs, so they're extremely disappointed."

Jane May, from Haslemere, has been a member of Shillinglee golf club for three years.

"It's a terrible thing to be allowed to happen," she said. "for a local golf club with lots of characters, to have it taken away from them."

Mrs May said that the club was not elitist, like many would assume a golf club to be.

"A lot of young people use the club to start playing, and the elderly - where do they go now?"

Mr Baxter was not available for comment.