A golf club in Salford has confirmed a majority of its investors 'voted in favour of pursuing' a multi-million pound offer to buy the course tabled by a property developer.
Swinton Park Golf and Country Club said the club was 'operating at a financial loss' and told its members that the 'state of affairs' couldn't continue.
The club's board of directors also revealed an 'unsolicited offer' to buy the club by Peel Holdings last December was rejected.
In a statement issued to all members the directors said the club was subsequently approached by 'a number' of other developers interested in buying the course, which sits off the East Lancashire Road in Swinton, after the Peel bid.
The statement added: "It was the legal duty of the directors to bring these offers to the attention of the investors.
"At an investors meeting on April 4, all the offers were discussed.
"A significant majority of the investors attending this meeting voted in favour of pursuing one of the offers made. This decision was not taken lightly.
"After significant expenditure on the course and clubhouse over the last two years, we are still operating at a financial loss. This state of affairs cannot continue ad infinitum."
As reported in the M.E.N, the city mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, has asked the club to 'clarify its position' and revealed he's been made aware the developers involved have been 'seeking information about the planning status of the site' from Salford council.
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The Manchester Evening News understands Bellway is the interested firm.
Bellway has declined to comment.
The challenging, 18-hole course and attached clubhouse sits on the busy A580 East Lancashire Road and dates back to 1926.
Members angry at the decision have now organised a public meeting.
It will be held at St Luke's Parish Centre on Swinton Park Road, Salford, at 7.30pm on April 23.
Dave Marsh, 69, a member for 23 years, said agreement was reached with 155 members in January 2017 to allow investors to run the club.
He said: "It was only accepted because there was a promise not to sell the land and to keep the club as a going concern as a golf club. I anticipate at least 150 people will be at the meeting, ranging from local residents, members and councillors.
"We feel cheated, lied to and gutted beyond belief."
In an earlier notice to members, sent on April 11, the club said subscriptions for the current year would be honoured and the club would continue to operate throughout the golf and financial year ending March 31, 2020.
The course would also continue to be maintained and improved, the directors said.
Mr Dennett, in his letter to the club, said the golf course site 'was not earmarked for housing or any other form of development'.
"The golf course is not earmarked for housing or any other form of development and the city council has no intention of promoting its development through any emerging plan as it is an important leisure facility," he said.
