Freak Storm Leaves Montrose Golf Club Covered In Sand

The Scottish links' 2nd fairway has been covered in a "thick carpet" of sand

Montrose Golf Club Gets Covered In Sand
Screenshot: Jason Boyd/Facebook

The Scottish links' 2nd fairway has been covered in a "thick carpet" of sand

Freak Storm Leaves Montrose Golf Club Covered In Sand

Montrose Golf Club in Scotland, the fifth-oldest course in the world, is very near to the sea and currently looks like a beach.

The 1562 Medal Course at the club was deluged in sand after "biblical" weather conditions.

Strong winds blew sand from the beach onto the course, leaving bunkers and holes completely filled in and a "thick carpet" of sand across the 2nd fairway.

The 2nd hole was affected the worst and has been out of play after the sandstorm on Monday.

Greenkeepers have been working hard to get the hole back in play, although it isn't expected to be playable until an industrial blower is brought in to help.

Watch the video of the storm below -

https://www.facebook.com/jason.boyd.3572/videos/vb.100007931734444/2204997069774663/?type=2&theater

Head Greenkeeper Darren McLoughlin told the Courier, “The weather was absolutely biblical.

“I have been here for six months myself. I’m told the first time this happened was last year but not to this extent. This is the worst they have ever seen it.

“This is a result of coastal erosion, the dunes slightly just retreating towards the golf course.

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“It [the wind] blows up towards the course, to the second fairway and leaves this fairly thick carpet of sand; and then the fairway is basically unplayable. I have never seen anything like that.

“It is the time of year where the course isn’t as busy. If this had happened in April-May, that causes us huge issues."

He also said that work needs to be done to help prevent the erosion, otherwise more freak events like this will happen.

England's oldest course - Royal North Devon - is also in danger due to coastal erosion. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Due to coastal erosion, the sea is now 70 metres closer to the course than 30 years ago.

Montrose has already lost high tees for the 3rd hole, the 2nd has been re-routed and rock armour has been installed to protect the 1st green and 2nd tees.

But the feeling is that significant further action is required.

“If Montrose does not receive government funding to protect the dunes, it would be a big, big problem,” said Chris Curnin, speaking on behalf of Montrose Golf Links Limited.

“We would have to move the course inland. That would cost millions and would mean losing a slice of golfing history.”

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV