Fanling Golf Club ending HK$30m upgrade as land debate rages

The Fanling golf club embroiled in a New Territories redevelopment debate is nearing the end of a HK$30 million project to renovate its facilities and improve the irrigation of its golf courses.

It had also planned to renovate its clubhouse this year - but now its future may hang in the balance after development ideas were floated that might see the place ploughed up for housing.

On Friday, the government indicated the Fanling facilities would be part of a new-town study next year. The club has not responded to inquiries from the South China Morning Post.

The club set aside HK$30 million in 2011 for renovation and construction works, its annual report last year showed. That included renovating and returfing the driving range and installing a new irrigation system in all three 18-hole courses.

"This, as all past captains know, is the best way to keep the membership happy," then captain Peter Reed wrote.

The club completed the irrigation network in September, the report showed. It awarded a tender in January for remedial works to a dangerous slope located along Fan Kam Road.