Lamlash putting green is up and running again
Lamlash putting green has reopened for the first time in a number of years.
The popular shorefront green has been taken over by the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) to provide another attraction at its Octopus visitor centre, which has reopened to the public.
COAST also seized the opportunity over the last month to revamp the putting green, following invaluable help and advice from both Lamlash and Whiting Bay golf clubs’ greenkeepers.
Visitors, locals and school pupils have already been making the most of the centre’s facilities; the tennis courts have been busy, groups have been enjoying the marine tank and buying unique gifts from the shop, and people have been participating in socially safe shore scrambles.
The putting is a new and exciting addition to the range of activities COAST has on offer.
Pam and Richard Wareing were the first two putters on the re-instated green and Richard said: ‘We used to putt on this green every year and we’re delighted to see the flags out again. It’s been the highlight of our holiday.’
Andrew Binnie, who is back with COAST as part-time interim manager, said: ‘COAST is such an integral part of the Arran community it was really important we opened up safely to offer visitors and locals as much access as possible to the centre and our activities.
‘The putting green will be open during the same hours as the centre initially but we hope to extend the hours in the near future. We’re still a far cry from your traditional putting green – it’s very rough and challenging – but all participation money will be reinvested to allow us to get it up to standard over the next couple of years. With community and local business support we hope putting will be a key attraction in Lamlash once again.
‘We’d like to thank Gordon and his team of grass cutters at the council for their hardwork earlier this year, and also COAST volunteers Howard Wood, Dougie Bruce and Crawford Cameron, who have helped with the final efforts of getting the green up and running. We are looking for a putting green volunteer with a mower.’
Putting and tennis are available on a pay-as-you-play honesty basis and the visitor centre is free to access with donations gratefully received. COAST always has a wealth of volunteering opportunities; if anyone is interested please contact Nikki Harris at nikki@ arrancoast.com
The visitor centre aims to be open Tuesday to Friday each week, with days/hours to be confirmed each Monday on their Facebook page.