PLANS to shrink the Fremantle public golf course by 20 per cent to make way for the High Street upgrade could threaten its future, according to two clubs that play the links.

The Jandalakes and Orbit ladies’ golf clubs say their own viability will also be under threat if they can’t offer players a full-length course.

The issue is more pointy for Jandalakes, which is affiliated with Golf WA and needs a course that meets its requirements in order to host open days or inter-club tournaments.

President Cathy Roads doesn’t think the reduced course will cut it.

“Where we would like to go is to get what the specifications are that have been given to the course designer, because they might have been told ‘they lost that corner, but just fit everything into what’s left,” Ms Roads said.

“But the fact is that the whole reserve has lost a per cent of its space, that means the Royal Fremantle Golf Course and Booyeembara Park.

• The Orbit Ladies Golf Club. Photo by Steve Grant

“Booyeembara Park was originally gazetted for a second nine for the golf course.”

The park remains a bone of contention, with original plans to expand the links into its northern edge curtailed following pushback from nearby residents.

Ms Roads feels aggrieved, saying when she visited Boo one Saturday afternoon, there were just two families at the skate park and a couple of others walking their dog, while the course’s 24-bay driving range and fairways were packed.

“How much open space do they need,” she said.

Both Ms Roads and Orbits president Helen Cariss said they were worried for the company that manages the course.

“Andrew, the manager of the golf course, says the driving range is crucial to its financial viability and that six is useless,” Mr Cariss said, noting it would no longer be suitable for school groups.

“Fremantle council will not tell us why it is not considering the option of using any of the park; it seems a fair compromise as we are losing so much.

“And yet, they are apparently giving part of the park for a bike track, so it can’t all be sacred land.

“The golf club is a beautiful place; lovely trees and lots of birds; a perfect outing for a local or tourist; cheaper than the movies; close to the city – and yet no mention of it on the city’s website.”

by STEVE GRANT