The future of a Wirral golf course hangs in the balance ahead of a key decision next week. Brackenwood Golf Course in Bebington closed in 2022 and there has been a long ongoing battle to reopen it since.
Brackenwood Golf Course was closed in March 2022 by Wirral Council as part of sweeping budget cuts that year as well as an “oversupply” of golf courses in Wirral. An original bid was knocked back after a firm supporting the course’s golf club pulled out, but plans still moved forward in 2024.
Since then, there have been a few updates and now the issue could go one of two ways. Councillors will make a decision at a policy and resources committee on 17 December which could see the course reopen as a commercial venture.
A report said that the terms agreed by councillors in 2024 were not deliverable and therefore a new decision was needed if Link Golf UK Ltd was to take over the course. However, if elected members do this, it could mean the council’s golf service would need to be subsidised due to lost income.
The council used to subsidise its golf service by around £420,000 a year between 2015 and 2020. However, since Brackenwood and the municipal golf course in Hoylake closed, the council said the service has made money.
The lost income would come at a time when Wirral Council is at high risk of bankruptcy and may need another government bailout. Brackenwood also had high maintenance costs as well as low usage before it closed.
Five options are being considered. The first would see Link Golf take over the course with its “track record of delivery” while previous proposals for new football pitches would not go ahead, with the bid supported by the course’s golf club.
Option two would see the council keep the rise for its own use from possible pitches, sports facilities, and new areas for nature. Other options include reopening the whole process again, marketing the course, or selling the land for future development.
The report put before councillors said that golf was “facing considerable challenges internationally, nationally, and locally” and different options are being explored by operators to make sure courses stay viable. Despite the problems, the council’s income from golf has increased by nearly £200,000, but reopening Brackenwood could see a loss of £276,000.
On Facebook, Brackenwood Golf Club said, “In just seven days, we’ll finally know the answer […] Through every step, our incredible community has stood right by our side — this is our story, our fight, and our future
“Although produced over a year ago, we have continued in our pursuit of being right at the heart of the Bebington community.”
In another post, the club praised Link Golf UK for “incredible work”, adding, “They’ve already transformed seven golf courses into thriving, community-based facilities taken over from local councils — places that are affordable, accessible, and welcoming for all ages and abilities.”
Image credit: Brackenwood Golf Course
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