Jersey Golf Calls for Les Mielles to Remain Open as Sale Sparks Public Debate

Jersey Golf has voiced its hope that Les Mielles Golf and Country Club will continue operating as a golf course after the St Peter venue was put on the market with a guide price of £9.95 million.

The sale has prompted growing public interest, with a petition urging the Government of Jersey to purchase the site receiving backing from Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham.

Jersey Golf president Juanita Adlington said losing the course would be a significant blow to the island's sporting community.

"It would be a real loss to Jersey to lose this facility," she said, highlighting the important role the club plays in encouraging participation in golf and supporting players of all ages and abilities.

The current owners have described the club as a successful and efficiently run business. They have said they are committed to ensuring a smooth transition to new ownership and confirmed that all existing memberships and prepaid subscriptions will remain valid for their current terms.

Director of Golf and co-owner Jonathan Le Brun said he believed the site offered exciting opportunities for the future.

"There is potential for Les Mielles to evolve into a modern club where golf meets lifestyle," he said.

The prospect of a sale has also sparked discussion about the site's long-term future. While some have suggested returning parts of the land to nature, others have called for the government to secure the property for public ownership.

Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham has expressed support for that idea, saying he would like to see the site come into public ownership if possible, drawing comparisons with previous acquisitions at Grève de Lecq and Plémont.

Adlington argued that demand for golf facilities in Jersey remains strong. She noted that the island's six golf courses are heavily used, with long waiting lists at La Moye and the Royal Jersey Golf Club, while Les Ormes, St Clement's and Wheatlands are all close to capacity.

She urged prospective buyers to recognise the wider value of golf beyond the sport itself.

"Golf is an excellent way for people to return to physical activity," she said. "Whether played socially or competitively, it offers something for everyone. Spending time outdoors also brings significant mental health benefits."

Adlington added that the friendships and sense of community created through golf can be especially valuable for older members, many of whom rely on the support of fellow golfers during difficult times.

She also praised the efforts made by the women's section at Les Mielles to attract new female players, warning that losing the course would make it harder to provide opportunities for beginners.

"It's like teaching someone to play football without having a pitch to play on," she said.

Adlington also pointed to the achievements of golfer Adam Dalton, who has a congenital limb deficiency, as an example of the sport's ability to create opportunities for people of all abilities.

She said she hoped a buyer would recognise the club's potential and invest in its future.

"It would be wonderful to see Les Mielles restored to its glory days," she said.