The worst fears of Hurst golfers have come true as the council announced on Friday it was to close down “their 19th hole”.

The 28-year-old club complained it was being gradually forced out by Wokingham Borough Council which owns the course at Dinton Pastures and runs the clubhouse – shared by a sailing club – in Sandford Lane.

Running down the beer stocks, reducing the catering to a “tearoom” with snacks and cakes, closing the club before golfers had finished playing and reducing the space for club notices were among the list of complaints from the long suffering players.

Captain Richard Monk was also angry the council was claiming to be losing money on the clubhouse when it had changed the catering contract to one which provided inappropriate catering for golfers.

Despite last-ditch talks on Thursday night, the council has called it a day on the clubhouse which will close at the end of the month.

Hurst Golf Club, however, is at pains to point out it is not shutting down and is now trying to persuade the council to allow it to lease the clubhouse. In the past it has tried to lease the whole course, without success.

Now the 250 club members are considering a formal complaint to the council and to the Local Government Ombudsman over their treatment.

The story in the Evening Post last month about the clubhouse provoked 24 comments accusing Wokingham Borough Council of “arrogance” and “poor management”.

Spokeswoman for Wokingham Borough Council Alana Razzell said: “Despite repeated attempts to make the clubhouse at Hurst Golf Course economically viable over the past few years it has unfortunately continued to make a significant financial loss, and so the council has no choice but to close the facility in order for it to stop draining taxpayers’ money.

“As the council has a duty to all its residents to ensure services offered provide good value for money, it will stop running services from the clubhouse from October 31 and divert them to the Dragonfly Café (in Dinton Pastures) – where a central hub for golfers and country park users will be created.

“Renewed attempts at encouraging more people to use the clubhouse, including making it more community based so residents and park lovers as well as golf club members use it, have proved ineffective at offsetting the spiralling cost of running the building.

“The council is grateful to all the support Hurst Golf Club members have shown the clubhouse over the years, and while it cannot afford to run the club house it has offered the golf club alternatives so that they can still meet at the site. 

“The course will continue to meet EGU golfing regulations so that tournaments can be played, plus there will be an improved putting green and better access to the practice area once the changes come into force.

“A dedicated golf course reception will be set up at the front of the Dragonfly Café. Food, snacks and beverages will continue to be served at the café – although no alcoholic drinks will be served.

"Group events will also continue to be available at the site – this includes golf tournaments as well as community and sporting events.”