Essex course suffers ‘devastating’ damage after quad biker break-in – Golf News

Belfairs Golf Membership in Essex needed to briefly shut its 18-hole course earlier this week after a gaggle of quad bikers broke onto the property and brought on an estimated £100,000 price of harm to tees, fairways, greens and bunkers.

The bikers wreaked havoc on the Southend course on the morning of December 10, damaging six greens to such an extent that it made them unplayable and resulted within the course having to be closed whereas the injury was assessed and repaired by floor employees on the council-owned venue.

Native councillor Stephen Aylen stated: “It’s tragic and unacceptable. I went out to take a look. I believe there have been two quad bikes concerned. I blame numerous this on the council’s administration. Steady requests have been made to restore the fences to cease bikes getting in, however all we’ve had is excuses, excuses, excuses. Nothing’s been accomplished. Now the golf course must be closed, leading to lack of income because it’s obtained to be repaired. It’s so unhappy. The greens have been ruined. The bottom employees work so onerous and take pleasure of their jobs. These individuals don’t admire it. It’s so devastating for them.”

James Courtenay, councillor answerable for group security and public safety, stated: “Disgraceful and pointless vandalism has taken place on a preferred native open house and golf course. It’s extremely disappointing and irritating that this has resulted within the non permanent closure of the course and expensive repairs. It’s not truthful on everybody else who makes use of the golf course and respects the services.

“As quickly as our parks group have been notified of the injury, they acted rapidly to organise the mandatory repairs so the course could possibly be reopened as quickly as potential. We have now beforehand invested in defending the golf course as greatest we are able to, nonetheless, it’s a pure open house with many entry factors. We would like everybody who lives and visits our metropolis to have the ability to take pleasure in our public areas and our leisure services.”