Paisley golf club bosses hit out at quad bike damage to course

David Campbellin Golf

Riders tore up fairways at Ralston Golf Club, leaving deep rut marks on the playing surfaces on Friday afternoon.

Damage on 16th hole at Ralston Golf Club

Frustrated bosses at a popular Paisley golf club have blasted quad bike louts who damaged the course.

Riders tore up fairways at Ralston Golf Club, leaving deep rut marks on the playing surfaces on Friday afternoon.

Greenkeepers repaired the damage but club officials have called on members of the public to treat the facility with respect and consideration.

Kenny Gough, club secretary, said: "The damage caused by what appears to be a quad bike and a motor cross bike is very disappointing

"The damage could have been much worse but still amounts to several thousand pounds worth of work. We would ask that people do not abuse the course in this way in the future."

Club bosses made the course available to members of the public to use during lockdown and say they are comfortable with people using it as a place to walk - but that abuse of the facilities will not be tolerated.

"We made a decision to open the course during lockdown as a place families and members of the public could come to get some fresh air, and the feedback we got from people was very positive,"

Mr Gough added: "Many people said it was green oasis in a desert of houses, a jewel that they did not know existed.

"But since then the course has been closed to members of the public - though we have no issue with people walking around the outside of it. The only thing we ask is that people do it in a safe and respectful manner. Driving a quad bike or a motorbike down the fairway is neither of those things."

He insists the club wants to remain an active part of the wider community and said the level of interest shown in the sport of golf has grown throughout the pandemic.

He told the Express: "We have seen a large rise in the number of enquiries and an influx of new members, which has been great.

"It has always been our intention to be a part of the community at large but we would also ask that people respect the course, which is maintained largely through the fees paid by our members."


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