Golfers angry as dirt bikers target course

CITY golfers have slammed vandals who tore up a local course with dirt bikes.

Fed-up members have seen Caird Park targeted this week, and they say the recent spate of problems is “the worst they’ve seen” in more than four decades playing at the course.

The 11th green, near Old Glamis Road, was in such a bad state that greenkeepers had to put in a temporary surface.

The 12th tee was also “churned up”, with the 13th fairway also damaged during the wrecking spree.

“All the members are sick to the back teeth of what’s been going on,” said Caird Park secretary Michael Tidcombe.

“They are using certain parts of the green to do stunts on scrambler and quad bikes.

“A scrambler bike has gone on to the 11th green at full speed and it was like a trench after they’d finished because the ground was so soft.

“This green won’t recover for at least six or seven weeks because the warmth isn’t there for it to grow.”

Players said most of the problems are coming from the Old Glamis Road side.

Golfer Andy Hay, 63, agreed and said the current vandalism was as bad as he has seen in 42 years as a member.

He said: “It’s been over the last few weeks I reckon the problems have been occurring. The green staff keep the course well but there is no way they can legislate for this type of thing.

“They’ve put a reserve green in, just in front of the damaged 11th, but that’s also got tyre marks on it. The tee box on the 12th has also been impacted.

“Members are hacked off by the damage that’s been caused, it’s actually got to the point where we try not to speak about it when we are going around the course.”

Mr Tidcombe added: “The matter has been reported to the police. I think their hands are tied unless they catch them in the act. Some kids are getting dropped off to use these bikes and quads from the Old Glamis Road entrance.

“We’ve spoken to some of the parents about the problem and all we get in return is a mouthful of abuse.

“We’ve not long started the summer season and it’s a sorry sight to see some of the course in the condition it’s in.”

A spokesman for Leisure and Culture Dundee said: “We have had a number of incidents with youths on motorbikes and quad bikes and are working with Police Scotland to identify these individuals.

“They’ve been causing damage, shouting abuse at staff and generally causing difficulties with golfers and members of the public. The 11th green has borne the worst of the damage and has been repaired a number of times.

“In addition, we have had a few instances of fire-raising, the worst of which was a large out-of-control blaze on the old ninehole course. We had to call the fire service and Police Scotland also attended.”

Police Scotland was approached for comment.