West Fife sport washed out
Published 11 Jul 2012 16:20
3 Comments
WEST FIFE sports were washed out as this week's incessant rain hit programmes.
Several sports clubs saw events rained off and pitches too soggy to play on.
Among them was Dunfermline Golf Club, which was closed from Saturday to Monday after the course was flooded.
Head greenskeeper Kenny Duncan described the conditions as "disastrous", saying, "It's been a pretty terrible time trying to keep the course in good nick.
"At the weekend our mixed open was cancelled and on Sunday we had to cancel the Fife stroke championships as well.
"If I close the course it means no golf and no business. There's a health and safety hazard and it's quite slippy."
He was keeping his fingers crossed for the junior open today (Wednesday) but added, "It's started off OK but the course is starting to get flooded."
And the rain nearly ruined Aberdour Bowling Club's two-day open weekend.
Club vice president Brian Kelly said, "We had to cancel the Saturday. We were under water - it was like a swimming pool.
"But we went ahead on Sunday because it didn't rain overnight and a lot of work was put into clearing the water by members, the committee and greens staff to get it right.
"We had to cut it down to one day and reduced the size of the competition. Instead of 50-odd pairs we had 24 pairs.
"It was a shame - the open weekend keeps us going and if it had been washed out completely we would have struggled financially for the rest of the year. It would have been a disastrous season."
The rain has also had a "significant" impact on West Fife businesses, with Janet Torley, chair of the Fife Federation of Small Businesses, saying small businesses were seeing their summer income "go down the drain".
She said, "One Dunfermline retailer is absolutely desperate. Who wants to buy summer stuff when it's really winter stuff we should be wearing?
"People are just not spending on summer apparel and people are not coming out.
"Someone who does occasional commentating has already lost income for a couple of shows that have been cancelled.
"A member who has an activity-based business tried to launch two new activities which have been complete washouts and a restaurant in Aberdour has noticed their passing trade compared to last year has dropped.
"Garden centres, anything to do with outdoor activities have been affected.
"Even an HR company says people are becoming quite depressed, especially those who are relying on income from activities."
Bear Scotland reported "minor flooding" between Junctions 4 and 5 of the M90, but put up signs warning drivers.
The Met Office has not issued any warnings for the Central, Tayside and Fife region up to Sunday.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
jollymolly
93 posts
Jul 12, 11:04
Report commentYou all gripe and moan when it is hot and dry and scorching the grass,
Get a grip and find something else to do there are plenty of water sports out there !!
Recommend?
Yes 8
No 2
-
supersonic
217 posts
Jul 12, 14:50
Report commentWe all know you like the watersports! Pipe down!
Recommend? Yes 5
No 2
-
bicyclebob
159 posts
Jul 18, 22:13
Report comment
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
