Golf course facing loss of £100,000 after flood

Aug 28 2008 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

UPHALL Golf Club suffered tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage as the Brox Burn flooded the course.

The club was closed from Wednesday until Monday to allow a clean-up operation to begin.

Three bridges on the course were washed away as Broxburn suffered its worst flood since records began.

There were also initial worries about the structural integrity of a bridge that leads to the clubhouse but it has since been passed safe after inspections by engineers.

The car park at the county club was flooded, half of the 17th tee was washed away and debris was left strewn across the course as the normally gentle burn turned into a raging torrent.

Club secretary Gordon Glendinning said this week:

“Water levels have risen in the burn before but it’s the first time we have ever had it at anything like that level.

“The water level went over the bridge at the 17th by about six foot and there was so much debris caught on it when we arrived in the morning.

“We had tree trunks on the green which were too big to move and the greenkeeper had to cut up.

“We are looking at a lot of money lost.

“I would say it would be nearly £100,000 through damage and loss of revenue.

“The course was in great condition as well — the best it had been in years — but luckily the flood hasn’t affected it greatly.”