A SHOWDOWN looms today over Huddle Park, Johannesburg's last remaining public golf course, which the city council plans to turn into a residential and retail space.

With only two other cheap public golf courses in SA, there is concern that the development plans are likely to cement the sport's status as a preserve of the elite. There are 500 private golf course in SA and only three recognised as public golf courses .

A fiery meeting is expected today when the council outlines its development plans to thousands of residents.

The development is being opposed by the South African Golf Development Board and Linksfield Golf Development Company, which are working alongside luxury goods company Richemont to develop black golfers.

They claim that the city council has no right to develop the space, as Huddle Park was bequeathed to the city in the early 1990s on the condition it remained a recreational space.

The council, however, argues that Huddle Park is zoned as an open space, but can be rezoned to become a retail outlet and residential property zone.

Council spokesman Nthatise Modigoane confirmed yesterday that the council was considering developing the park, but said no agreements had been concluded with investors.

Modigoane said the council did not "see any evidence that the original title deed would prevent us from putting up viable developments in an open-space environment, including residential properties".

He said "nothing has yet been cast in stone" and the council would use today's meeting to discuss the matter and test the mood of the community.

Linksfield Golf Development Company MD George Johnson said yesterday that this attitude was "very sour".

"Many businessmen have contacted us, saying they have already got the building contracts, so it seems that the council is ready to go ahead with this," Johnson said.

The one name that has cropped up several times as a potential investor is that of Mvelaphanda chairman Tokyo Sexwale. A company spokesman said yesterday: "Mvelaphanda has not been looking at this project".

But he failed to say Mvelaphanda would not look at the project if the council opened the bidding for the development.