‘I have had two near misses, one was just last week’

AFTER near misses, damaged walls and smashed windows, holiday lodge owners at Powfoot are worried someone is going to end up seriously injured by a stray golf ball coming off the course immediately adjacent to their property.

Billy Herd and Morag Swan paid thousands to relocate their holiday home from England to Queensberry Bay Holiday Park in September last year.

The engaged couple believed the location at the popular coastline location – operated by Verdant Leisure – was ideal for trips down from their home on the Isle of Bute.

The lodge sits up near the back end of the park adjacent to Powfoot Golf Course.

For it to be so close to the over 100-year old course, the couple thought it must be an unused bit of the land.

However, they soon found out that that land was in fact the second fairway, and probably the worst part of the whole course for balls going out of bounds, as stray shots started cracking off their lodge.

Billy said: “We didn’t realise that was the fairway, we thought that was just the end of the golf course. Who would put a lodge there if they knew they were in the firing line?”

The couple have been in contact with the park owners and, while some nets have now been installed, they believe they are nowhere near high enough and not an appropriate solution.

As they showed off a bucket of golf balls which they say have been collected since the start of the year, Billy and Morag pointed out various marks and holes on the lodge. And they told of how in a nearby lodge the window was smashed while one of the occupants sat in the room. It is also understood one owner has decided to sell-up because of the problem.

Billy said: “They (Verdant Leisure) have said they have done more than could be expected of them.

“I have had two near misses, one was just last week. I have asked them – what if someone does get hit in the head with a golf ball? There’s been nothing back from them.

“(The nets) are an amateur solution installed by amateurs. I think professionals need to be involved in coming up with a solution.”

Morag added: “For us it’s the safety aspect (as well). We love the caravan site but we need this dealt with for safety. The nets (at the moment) are not doing an awful lot.”

It is understood Powfoot Golf Club raised concerns about the issue back in 2016 when initial plans were submitted to extend the holiday site. The club’s belief was that no caravans or lodges should be sited so close to an existing golf course.

This week a Powfoot Golf Club spokesman said: “As far as the club are aware remedial actions have been taken and this matter has been materially resolved.”

George Hope, operations director at Verdant Leisure said: “The safety and wellbeing of everyone who owns a holiday home, visits or works at any of our parks is our top priority.

“We’ve been in active discussions with our owners regarding the golf course and have worked closely with the local authority to address the matter and safety nets have already been installed.

“We remain fully committed to working with all owners to resolve any issues that arise, and we will continue to take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all guests and staff.”