A GOLF club will soon be without a 19th hole after being forced to put its clubhouse up for sale to stave off bankruptcy.

Bolton Open Golf Club, in Longsight Lane, Harwood, is selling the 6,500sq ft building to cover high running costs.

Its owners say the sale is necessary to secure the future of the 18-hole golf course, with car park and driving range.

Robin Day, principal of the building's owner The Open Golf Group, said: "We are selling to salvage the rest of the club so we can continue operating the golf course for the public.

"If we don't sell, it will undoubtedly go bankrupt."

The Open Golf Group hopes to raise £700,000 through the sale, with the building being marketed as a potential house, nursery or offices.

New changing facilities for the course, which the group part-owns with Bolton Council, would be provided at a smaller replacement building at the first tee, said Mr Day.

He said the clubhouse was not longer viable, with utility bills, staff costs and insurance to add to business rates of £23,000. The club's overall annual running costs had hit £450,000 and it made a loss of £100,000 last year.

"The clubhouse is the largest overhead and it makes sense to sell it," he said, adding the sale was a last resort.

"We tried a number of things last year, including trying to sell off some perimeter land. That failed. We have been supporting the losses for many years now."

A detached building, built from stone and with a pitched slate roof, the clubhouse includes a bar, shop, changing facilities, function suites and a kitchen.

Daniel Westwell, of Lamb and Swift Commercial, said: "We are marketing it as suitable for a day nursery, offices or residential, subject to planning permission.

"So far, a couple of people have viewed the premises but no offers have yet been made. However, people are having a good think about it."