Asbestos causes golf course to close

Royal Tarlair Golf Club has been forced to close after asbestos was found in the aftermath of a suspected arson attack in the early hours of Monday which destroyed a greenkeeper's shed and the equipment it contained.

Club officials, however, hope that the popular links course in Macduff will be able to re-open to the public later today or tomorrow morning at the latest.

"The course is closed at the moment and we can't let anyone close to the area of the fire," said Tarlair vice-captain lan Still.

"There is a minor asbestos problem as a result of the fire. The problem is isolated to the area midway up the 16th fairway where the destroyed shed was.

"We have a specialist removal company coming in today to remove the asbestos from the scene and, hopefuly, the course can be re-opened as soon as they have finished.

"The police have finished their examination of the crime scene and we'll be talking to our insurance company today to clear things up on that issue.

"It's unfortunate that the shed was in the middle of the course, but we hope to be back to normal very quickly."

Grampian Police, meanwhile, have appealed for information following the fire, which occurred during the early hours of Monday morning and saw a shed containing greenkeeper's equipment set alight.

The value of the damage to the shed and the equipment stored there, which was destroyed by the blaze, was valued at a low five-figure sum.

Investigating officer, Constable Philip Hurrell, said: "A lot of people from the Macduff area and further afield use the facilities at Royal Tarlair Golf Course.

"They will be understandably upset by this meaningless damage.

"The greenkeeper's shed has been destroyed and expensive equipment that was stored in it has been ruined.

"Thankfully, nobody was injured as a result of the fire.

"I would appeal to anyone who might have information about the incident, or who knows who might be responsible, to contact us as soon as possible."

Anybody with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5 700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, should they wish to remain anonymous.

Article sourced from Banffshire Journal