Browns Golf Course in Sandown will close at the end of September, it has been announced.
The current owners have decided to call time on the popular attraction at Culver Parade due to the unclear future of the area, with no real security to protect the business moving forward.
Over 15000 people played golf during an 8 month period in 2019 – despite popular opinion that pitch and putt is a bit ‘old hat’.
Clare, John and Cherry took on Browns, including the café, in May 2014 and over the past 6 years have transformed the attraction, putting in lots of hard work and showing plenty of perseverance.
In a statement published to Facebook, the team have said:
“We would like to thank all of our staff for the dedication they have given us, for working with us and their continued loyalty. We couldn’t have been here for as long as we have without you all.
“To our customers that return weekly (some daily), monthly and yearly who use just the cafe or just the golf or both many thanks for supporting us.
“Lastly we would like to thank our family who have showed us endless support, worked with us and lots of love to enable us to run Browns.
Article continues below this advertisement “We have loved hearing all of your favourite memories of Browns over the years and we have created so many more new memories in our time. We may not have had cream doughnuts but we were still very much here alive and kicking serving home made goodness and affordable golf”.
The doors close for the last time – potentially for the last time ever – on 27th September.
Very likely they have been ‘got at’ by the developer mafia which operates on the Isle.
Prime land for hotels etc, DON’T think planning and developers are all honest straight deals. It is not.
Sorry to see this have had enjoyable times there . Have to ask the question:- another potential site for development?
Another part of my childhood going, enjoyed many summer hols here from London in late 60’s
If they build it won’t be affordable houses, not worth that view
Browns the best place for home made ice creams and doughnuts and there cream slices and cream horns to die for another Nail in sundowns coffin but it’s not there fault land owners being greedy no dought
I expect ‘some’ developer in with the council will be tickled PINK over this news.
Question is, what was used, the carrot or the stick, or a subtle combination.
I’m up for an investment Zak, Do name the individuals you refer too though!
A BIG fat brown envelope was used
I think you’re right about PINK. Is new land owner if you no what I mean wink wink
Hopefully bent councillors/ developers aren’t going to move in and destroy a perfect plot of land, hope a new buyer comes along and keeps it open! hopefully now we are under unesco biosphere project that will protect against any developments as the isle is an area of natural beauty and wildlife, and anything which affects that unesco can step on and say NO
David Ford needs to learn to spell , real shame about Browns though .
I remember the 60s and 70 when the water fountains working on the front the canoe lake with boats on the lake.Queing at the first tees holiday makers putting their score card in the chest hoping to get a free round.
Now we looking at another eye sore like the Grand Hotel next door.Sad sad days
I will miss it.l kept all the scorecards, will not be the same without going there.
We may well need the PLUTO pump again if the French get ugly (uglier) once we stop subsidising three quarters of Europe.
This is really sad browns has been an icon for years enjoyed and loved by thousands. unfortunaly the identity and soul of the island the things people/families came here for and enjoy the oldie worldy laid back pace has nearly disappeared the island is been destroyed by the greedy developers who really couldn’t give a flying f*** all they do is flash the cash, baffle skint local councils with bulls**t, to get thier hand on prime sites like browns, it is a prime seafront site. Hopefully someone will take it on and keep it as is. but if the council decide to sell it to get to palm thier grubby little hands on some developers cash, then this is when the island should come together and say enough is enough and put a stop to this mass development before the Isle of Wight looses it’s whole identity and becomes another urban sprawl because like it or not its the way its heading. its time to vote this load of clueless inept dinosaurs out and get someone who actually cares in and stand up to the greedy developers and tell them where to shove it.
I wonder if the German company interested in buying Dino isle will turn it into a theme park….
Dino Isle is a bit tired, might be for the best if someone took them both over and did them up a bit
What….Run Down World!
What a dreadful shame…Browns gave my grandson an interest in Golf & now he’s hooked. Please someone take it over & away from the greedy idiots who no doubt will want to turn it into an urban sprawl.
Is there anything we can do to keep Browns open, I.e. lobby the Isle of Wight Council?
When I was young my dad took us all here most Sundays my brother and I would get soaked in a canoe and we would wait for the little buggy to come with fresh cream cakes so big you could share or we would sit in tbe cafe watching all the little birds my dad was a builder and in those days planning on the island was strict that’s what made the island unique now we’re just like the mainland filling every bit of land and moving more and more people here they are losing the island charm and the way of life it stood for our kind of childhood has gone
During the war!
Well I don’t know where this info came from but I was told they are closing for the season and no further decisions have been made as it will depend on the lease being renewed ! So if you want it to stay it will be down to the council!
Oh well if it’s down to the council then goodbye to Browns. Owners statement says it all . Why would a business let the lease run down to to the stage where it needs to be renewed. Dodgy undertones and alarm bells ringing. More building development on this site coming.