DOZENS of golf clubs across Scotland have been battered and ripped up by Storm Eowyn, with several courses forced to close over the weekend.
Greenkeepers were out in force across the country this morning to assess the impact of the extreme weather – and the looming repair bills.
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Annanhil Golf Course in Kilmarnock had numerous trees uprooted
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This boundary wall at Kilmacolm Golf Club was damaged by a fallen tree
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Haggs Castle Golf Club in Glasgow had boundary netting ripped apart
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A tree landed on an maintenance hut at Rothesay Golf Club
Dubbed ‘the Storm of the Century’, Storm Eowyn and it’s 100mph gusts left over 100,000 Scots without power, ground public transport to a halt and now there’s a huge clean-up operation underway.
As roads were closed and the public urged to stay indoors, golf courses up and down the country didn’t open at all on Friday – but they were shown no mercy by the wind.
The severe gales felled trees and led to debris strewn across fairways and inside bunkers, while many clubs reported significant damage to car parks, maintenance sheds, practice netting and boundary walls.
Machrihanish Golf Club in Argyll & Bute, acclaimed for having ‘the best opening hole in the world’, was forced to shut off its most famous feature due to excessive flooding.
Battery, the name of the hole, forces players to hit their tee shot over a beach and is famed for its stunning view from the tee.
But it was left unrecognisable and has been rendered completely unplayable for the foreseeable future after it became swamped by enormous waves coming from the neighbouring Atlantic Ocean.
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The famous opening hole at Machrihanish was devastated by flooding
The club posted on Facebook: “Due to storm damage the first hole will remain close until further notice. Please start your round on the second.
“This weekend’s Argyll & Bute Consultants competition is cancelled.”
Heading away from links and to parkland courses, both Rothesay and West Linton suffered damage to on-course structures including equipment huts and shelters.
Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club in Bridge of Weir shared the extent of the damage caused to their course, which will remain closed until at least Tuesday.
Dramatic moment lorry flips on A1 as Storm Eowyn batters Scotland
And they’ve pleaded with members and locals to help clear the mess.
They said on Facebook: “After Storm Eowyn, the course has unfortunately had a number of large trees uprooted and debris scattered across the course.
“With this in mind, the course will remain closed on Sunday and Monday while the tidy up operation gets underway. Our team will work hard to have the course back in playable condition as soon as possible.
“Tomorrow morning, we are organising a volunteer effort to collect the smaller debris together to help support our team.
“Volunteers are asked to meet at the clubhouse for 9am and we will head out onto the course after that, with tea, coffee and rolls provided for those helping out afterwards.”
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A tree lies across a fairway at Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club
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Several parts of the course have been adversely affected
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Thornhill Golf Club has also suffered badly
Hilton Park Golf Club on the outskirts of Milgavie also made a call to members for help after losing over 100 trees and suffering from a power outage.
The club shared on social media: “After an early course inspection, the damage caused by Eowyn is clear to see.
“Early estimates are that way in excess of 100 trees are down on the Hilton Course alone. There’s a huge amount of debris and branches strewn all across the courses.
“The Pro Shop & Clubhouse phone lines are currently down, as is the broadband at the Club.
“The greenstaff will commence the cleanup but this will be a long process. We don’t expect to be in a position to open the courses tomorrow.
“Your club needs you!
“We’re asking any member who is free on Monday at 9:00am to volunteer their time to help us clear up the debris.
“Please bring a pair of gloves and ideally, a rake. Members to meet in the clubhouse for 9am on Monday morning.
“Please check your inbox and respond to the email to let us know if you’re available. We would really appreciate your help.”
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Hilton Park is a popular club just outside of Glasgow and is calling for help
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The club is without power and the pro shop was almost struck by a fallen tree
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The team at Auchterarder Golf Club out doing their best to clean up the course
Hayston Golf Club in Kirkintilloch is understood to have lost about 40 trees in the chaos.
Graham Wylie, club captain, said: “Sadly there has been some significant tree damage on several holes, 18th green, 17th fairway and 10th fairway, photos attached and debris strewn across the course.
“The greens team will carry out full assessment tomorrow morning and access the damage and make plans to clear course of fallen trees and debris and rope off areas, if they deem course can open, it will be from 9.30am, all tee times will be pushed back one hour.
“If the course remains closed, due to Health & Safety of our staff and members, a further update at 8.30am will be issued by email & CV1 members app
“Kitchen will be open at 10am and bar at 11am, please note kitchen may close early so best to phone and check.”
Annanhill Golf Course in Ayrshire was also closed on Saturday and some of the trees that were blown over on the property have landed in greenside bunkers.
Cardross Golf Club, near Dumbarton just off the River Clyde, could be shut until the middle of next week after “bearing the brunt” of the storm.
The club said on Facebook: “The golf course bore the brunt of the extreme weather yesterday, with several trees and large branches down, others in a dangerous condition and recently laid bunker surrounds affected.
“Positive news that none of the greens or tees appear to have been damaged, with the impact of the storm reduced by the tree maintenance programme and removal works our Greens team have been managing in recent years.
“The clubhouse also escaped relatively unscathed with only minor water ingress due to the high winds. Regular bar and kitchen service will resume tomorrow, Sunday 26th January.
“To allow the greens team to make safe the course and surrounding areas the course will remain closed until Tuesday or Wednesday. We will keep everyone updated should this position change.
“In the meantime, please take care.”
The snow and ice that followed only made matters worse as clubs were forced to remain closed due to frozen conditions or courses becoming waterlogged.
West Linton Golf Club in the Borders admitted they couldn’t give a day for when they’d reopen.
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They said: “We have been hit quite hard by the storm. Quite a few trees are down and a number damaged but still standing. The heavier than forecast snow is hampering a proper assessment.
“The course will remain closed until it can be made safe.”
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More felled trees at Annanhill
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Both the entrance and exit to Cathkin Braes are blocked by fallen trees
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Douglas Park is one of many courses undergoing a clean-up operation
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A fallen tree at Lochmaben
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