MISSING LINKS

Global warming a major threat to golf in Scotland

WILDER weather and erosion caused by climate change are threatening the future of golf, a report backed by UK sport’s governing body has warned.

Higher rainfall will lead to more unplayable holes, winter course closures and disruption to tournaments while rising sea levels could jeopardise all global coastal courses by 2100.

Football will also be affected, particularly at grassroots level, as a result of wetter winters, the Climate Coalition’s report said.

Cricket is facing “disruption at every level” because of more intense summer downpours driven by climate change, while the skiing industry could collapse within 50 years as winters become too mild for regular snowfall.

Rising sea levels caused by melting glaciers and expanding oceans will increase erosion at coasts, where one in six Scottish golf courses is situated.

The North Sea has advanced 230ft towards Montrose Golf Links in the last 30 years, forcing some holes to be realigned or abandoned.

Professor Piers Forster, a climate change expert at Leeds University, said: “Without cutting the carbon emissions driving climate change, sea levels will rise by over a metre and extremely wet winters will become the norm.”

Fish cancer boost

Eating salmon, mackerel or tuna twice a week can slash the risk of breast cancer. Professor David Ma said fish rich in omega-3s are eight times better than flaxseeds.