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

Belfairs Golf Club in Essex needed to quickly shut its 18-hole course earlier this week after a bunch of quad bikers broke onto the property and precipitated an estimated £100,000 value of injury 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 mentioned: “It’s tragic and unacceptable. I went out to take a look. I feel there have been two quad bikes concerned. I blame a variety of 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 finished. Now the golf course needs to 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 delight of their jobs. These individuals don’t recognize it. It’s so devastating for them.”

James Courtenay, councillor chargeable for neighborhood security and public safety, mentioned: “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 momentary closure of the course and expensive repairs. It’s not honest on everybody else who makes use of the golf course and respects the services.

“As quickly as our parks workforce have been notified of the injury, they acted shortly to organise the mandatory repairs so the course may very well be reopened as quickly as attainable. Now we have beforehand invested in defending the golf course as finest we are able to, nevertheless, it’s a pure open house with many entry factors. We wish everybody who lives and visits our metropolis to have the ability to get pleasure from our public areas and our leisure services.”