The History of North Wilts...continued
The improved facilities enabled the Club to be considered as a venue for EGU competitions and in 1996 hosted the English County Boys Championship and in 2001 the U14 Boys Championship "Reid Trophy".
In 1997 the Club were faced with a large rent increase and with this in mind, the Committee resolved to pursue the age old question of whether the Crown Commissioners would sell the land to the members. In 1999 a valuation of £1 million was put on the land and negotiations started to take place.
The Millennium saw the planting of over 5000 trees on the course and the Twinning of the Club to Golf de Laval in Mayenne. The Seniors' Section donated a Millennium plaque which is situated at the 7th tee and shows other golf clubs and places of interest in the area.
In January 2001 an Extraordinary General Meeting was held at the Corn Exchange in Devizes. Over 250 members were presented with a plan to fund the course purchase. Those attending supported the committee's proposals to pursue the purchase and after protracted negotiations, the Crown Commissioners agreed to sell the land for £1,396,000 plus VAT.
A 25 year mortgage for £850,000 was secured from Lloyds TSB together with a £50,000 interest free loan from the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. £324,300 was raised within the club by selling Long Term and Life memberships, the balance of the purchase price being made up by selling a property owned by the Club in Calne and the Clubs reserves. The purchase and consequent Rule amendments were approved by the members at an EGM in June 2001.
The formal signing of documents and transfer of the land took place in November 2001 of that year and was followed by a Celebratary Golf Day in January 2002.
The club now look forward to a secure and healthy future.
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