They are abandoning us to the ocean, says golf club hit by storm
Members at country’s oldest course say Natural England has done nothing to save it from sea erosion
IT IS the harsh and unpredictable seaside conditions that have traditionally made links golf such an enticing endeavour. But for England’s oldest course, at least, they are proving too much of a challenge.
The Royal North Devon Golf Club has accused the Government of “abandoning us to the ocean” after Storm Eleanor prompted the collapse of part of its eighth tee three weeks ago and high tides, expected next week, threaten the demise of the seventh.
The club says that abandoning the course to nature would be an affront to generations of members.
Designed by Old Tom Morris, the famous Victorian golfer, the course at the mouth of the Taw-torridge Estuary is renowned as “the St Andrew’s of the South” and is said to be one of the UK’S toughest to play.
The historic layout now faces permanent disfigurement, however, due to the brutal coastal erosion. More than 50 yards of the championship course has been lost as a result of the “preventable” collapse, with boulders strewn across a fairway.
The disruption places in jeopardy two major upcoming amateur competitions.
Yet Natural England, the body responsible for the stretch of coast near Westward Ho!, appears content to let the sea reclaim the land, according to the club.
The agency last night insisted no suggestions were ruled out, but a statement explaining that “the dunes and shingle ridge are naturally dynamic coastal features and subject to constant change” have been seized on by local golfers as evidence civil servants are determined to let “Mother Nature” take her course.
Mark Evans, the club’s general manager, said: “By allowing this collapse we are tampering with history. There’s no plan at the moment – it’s a disgrace.”
Founded in 1864, the club quickly gained national status thanks to the patronage of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, who bestowed the royal title two years later. It is believed to be substantively unchanged since the original Tom Morris design, and is England’s oldest course in continuous use.
Natural England said it would permit the club to build two new greens, providing it relinquished the two existing ones that are threatened by erosion.
The collapse and flooding also provoked fears over the security of a nearby landfill site that contains hospital waste and toxic material such as asbestos.
The club claims that wrangling
‘By allowing this collapse we are tampering with history. There’s no plan – it’s a disgrace’
between Torridge district council and Devon county council has so far held back any action to address the problem, although last night Torridge council said the two authorities were “working well” on the issue.
“They’ve got to look at the bigger picture,” said Mr Evans. “Yes, they might be saving England’s oldest golf course, but they’re [also] saving an environmental disaster that’s waiting to happen.”
He said both Natural England and local council officers were their heads in the sand”.
However, a meeting has been scheduled for Jan 29 to discuss what is to be done about the landfill site.
Jane Whittaker, leader of Torridge district council, said: “Following recent storms, and their impact, we have already had initial meetings to discuss both the old Devon county landfill site and how the golf club can be supported into the future.” “burying