Camden Haven Golf Club and the Laurieton United Servicemen’s Club seek to amalgamate and the move will be put to each club’s membership for approval in coming weeks.

CHCG chairman Albert Johnston said the club’s board of directors began investigating the idea of a corporate partner in October last year.

“We sought to amalgamate with another club to secure the viability of our club’s future and the board unanimously voted in favour of going in this direction,” Mr Johnston said.

“We were not generating enough revenue to keep the club viable and our accountant advised us to look at our options while we carried no serious debt. To improve infrastructure at the golf club would require a loan that we would not be able to service.

“That’s the only reason we are amalgamating. We want to improve the club, the course and facilities for our members. It’s not because we are going downhill.

“We have good assets which far outweigh our liability. We have the only golf club in the Camden Haven district and it’s always improving but we can’t afford to do major capital works.”

Mr Johnston said the golf club sought expressions of interest from clubs within a 50km radius. Three applicants were evaluated and Mr Johnston believes the CHGC’s board of directors has chosen the most suitable partner.

“We put out a wish list of things we’d like to see achieved within the next five years and the LUSC agreed to do a feasibility study into the work. That’s what made their offer stand out,” he said.

“I think our board has done the right thing by our members and I’m hoping they will be satisfied when they see the final outcome of our work and what it will mean for them. In the end members will save because they will be able to join two clubs under the one membership card and enjoy the benefits both offer.

“We believe this is a proactive move to keep this asset in the local area.”

LUSC president Wayne Poll said his club was privileged to be chosen as a possible amalgamation partner.

“The majority of our members are also members of the Camden Haven Golf Club and vice versa,” he said.

“We have three social golf clubs who play here and 330 lawn bowlers and no bowling green. The bowlers used to play on the golf club’s green but outgrew the facility. We are looking forward to providing the facilities for all our combined members to enjoy.”

Mr Poll said the LUSC had the capital backing to provide the golf club with the facilities needed for future growth.

“We’ve guaranteed the current staff their jobs and ensured local ownership of this wonderful asset to continue as a golf and bowling club,” he said.

“We will be going through all the correct channels to make sure this move will be in the best interest of both clubs. Part of our current study is to ensure the amalgamation won’t adversely affect the operation of the LUSC.”

The amalgamation will be put to the two clubs’ membership in coming months. If the result is in favour then the legal proceedings will begin to join the two clubs.