BGU cries for land to build golf courses
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday August 28, 2014 07:00
BGU secretary general, Mpho Kelosiwang said that at the moment, all golf courses except the one at Gaborone Golf Club (GGC) sits on private land.
The GGC sits on a piece of land owned by the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC). Kelosiwang said there is need for the government to assist BGU acquire land. He said it is expensive to build a golf course on private land because of the rentals.
“We have a problem right now with the Francistown Club that we wanted to refurbish but that is not possible.
We were informed that the club should be moved from its present location because the nearby health facility is to be extended. That project has not started. We are now operating on short-term leases,” Kelosiwang explained.
He said they have engaged the BNSC over the matter with a view to finding a lasting solution.
Francistown Club spokesperson, Peter Podise said they had been operating on six-month leases until the Francistown City Council (FCC) gave the one for two years, which expires in October next year.
He explained that they have decided to ask the Francistown City Council (FCC) who own the club for a longer lease to ensure the smooth running of the facility.
Podise said the FCC has allocated the club a plot behind the new Francistown Stadium. The club is expected to part with P126,000 per annum as lease payment for the plot.
“There are three golf courses in Francistown that are competing with us and that makes it difficult for us to attract members. You find that some players decided to join other clubs instead of our club,” he said. Meanwhile, Francistown Club will host the Metropolitan Botswana Northern Open Golf Championships over the weekend. The competition will be played over two days, starting on Saturday.
Kelosiwang said the Northern Open was not held last year due to lack of sponsorship after the agreement they had with First National Bank Botswana expired in 2012.
“Metropolitan is sponsoring the tournament for P30,000. It will be the first time that women golfers will be part of the event,” said Kelosiwang.
At least 60 players from clubs across the country are expected to take part in the competition. Podise said the golf course is in prime condition for the championships.