FIVE companies are interested in taking over Derby City Council's pitch-and-putt and two golf courses as the authority considers how to avoid the future cost of their upkeep.
The council is deciding whether to formally tender for firms to take over Allestree Park Golf Course, Sinfin Golf Course and Markeaton Pitch and Putt.
The move could save hundreds of thousands of pounds in operational costs over the next five years.
Former Allestree Park Golf Club captain Mick Brown said it would be a positive step if an outside company took over the site. He said that the authority had "not maintained the course properly in years because it hasn't had the money."
Mr Brown added: "They'd need to make sure any season tickets for the course are upheld when any takeover happens. And they also need to make sure that the golf club is able to keep going."
A council report on the matter said the five interested companies "all have a proven track record in the management of golf courses."
They are JDS Golf, Martin Guy Developments, Glendale Managed Services, Sheffield International Venues and Mack Trading.
Martin Guy, owner of Martin Guy Developments, said his firm looked after seven other golf courses.
He said: "We have a wealth of experience in improving golf courses and facilities."
Claire Davenport, the council's director of leisure and culture, said: "A cabinet decision will be required before any procurement exercise could be undertaken, should the council feel that this is the route that they wish to proceed with."
She added that any "financial arrangements that the council enters into would depend upon the submissions of the bidding organisations."
Councillor Martin Repton, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said he could not give a time frame for when a decision would be made.
Mr Repton said: "The golf courses will require considerable investment over time and the local authority simply does not have that money, so we are considering all options."
