A petition has been launched to ‘save’ a golf centre.
The Fairways Golf Centre near Caversham has a nine-hole golf course, a ‘foot golf course’ where players kick balls into holes, and a disc golf course which involves disks being thrown into baskets.
The centre has proven a highly-rated place for golfing activities, receiving 5/5 stars on Google Reviews since its opening in May 2021.
But a campaigner fears that the golf centre is ‘under threat’ amid a claim that its owners Reading Golf Club want to focus on The Caversham golf course at Chazey Heath.
That concern has yet to be confirmed by Reading Golf Club which manages Fairways.
The centre occupies the northern half of the Reading Golf Course, with the southern half having 223 homes built on it for the Emmer Green Drive development.
A petition has recently been launched to ‘save’ Fairways Golf Centre.
Robert Beveridge, the creator of the petition, said: “Fairways Family Golf is a unique facility for locals to practice, and grow golfing skills.
“It’s in a beautiful setting and has a really good nine-hole course open to all.
“However, it is now under threat of closure as its owners are wanting to focus on The Caversham, a challenging 18-hole golf course for good golfers only.
“By contrast, the Fairways Family Golf Centre offers a number of different ways to enjoy golf that everyone, irrespective of age or ability can enjoy.”
The centre has a nine-hole foot golf course and an 18-basket disc course.
Mr Beveridge said: “All of these activities are set upon the backdrop of the beautiful South Chilterns countryside, with stunning views over Reading and beyond.
“It’s not just a place to play golf, but a space where people can come together, share experiences, and relax in the beautiful countryside while enjoying the sports.
“The closure of this centre would mean more than losing a sports facility.
“It would mean losing a new and growing part of our community that promotes physical health, mental well-being and social interaction.”
The petition calls on Reading Golf Club, which manages Fairways and The Caversham golf courses to keep Fairways open.
Mr Beveridge added: “We urge you to maintain and develop this valuable resource which gives people an accessible way into the sport and just needs more time and promotion to achieve commercial success.”
The petition, which can be seen at www.change.org/p/save-fairways-family-golf-centre?recruiter=150700795, has received more than 570 signatures of support.
Reading Golf Club has declined to comment.
