One golfer mentioned it was the worst course he is ever performed on
A golf course run by the Celtic Manor has deteriorated massively with one common now deeming the course “unplayable”. The greens have not been watered with no grass left leaving them cracked and unplayable, and there may be usually canine waste and litter on the fairways
In 2015, the Celtic Manor took over the operating of Caerleon Golf Course, a transfer which was speculated to carry “new funding and specialist administration” to the course which has been an integral a part of Newport because it opened in 1976 as the primary municipal course in Wales.
Julian Jones, 55, from St Julians in Newport, has been taking part in on the course since he was 18 and he believes it’s a very important place in Newport for younger and new golfers to go and play, in addition to extra skilled gamers.
These days Julian performs golf each Sunday along with his buddies, normally frequenting Caerleon. By no means miss a Newport story by subscribing to our e-newsletter right here.
Nevertheless, following the current decline of the course Julian has now mentioned he is not going to be returning regardless of having performed there for over 35 years. “It is the worst course I’ve ever performed by a rustic mile,” he added.
Julian defined that for the reason that Celtic Manor took over the day-to-day repairs from Newport Metropolis Council, issues have worsened and in his opinion it’s now not value going there.
He mentioned: “Caerleon has been a municipal golf course for the reason that late 70s and it was at all times a great place for folks to start out taking part in golf and for normal golf gamers too. It was at all times in good situation however since Celtic took over it is simply been dismissed, disregarded, it is unkept and the greens are simply not watered in any respect with no intention to repairs that golf course.”
“The greens are unplayable, there may be not a little bit of grass on them in any respect. Sure now we have had sizzling climate however golf programs account for that.”
“It is infuriating to me, I am like a whole lot of different folks, I began off taking part in there and have since carried on taking part in golf. I really feel we’re doing an injustice to golf and to the youthful era as nicely.”
The Celtic Manor mentioned the unprecedented drought climate had dried up their pure irrigation sources on the golf membership, made worse by upkeep points within the system. Additionally they conceded that it was tough to stop “irresponsible canine walkers” from accessing the location.
A spokesperson for the Celtic Assortment mentioned: “Like all golf programs in the UK, Caerleon Golf Membership is at present going through an acute problem attributable to the unprecedented drought climate this summer season. To date this yr, now we have had lower than 15 inches of whole rainfall which equates to lower than half the typical rainfall that now we have skilled in recent times so far.
“These local weather circumstances have dried up the pure irrigation useful resource out there at Caerleon Golf Membership and the issue has been exacerbated by upkeep points inside the irrigation system put in earlier than we acquired the lease to handle the ability.
“Whereas the greenkeeping group are taking steps to deal with the present situation of the greens, the course is at present being performed by dozens of golfers each day with minimal damaging suggestions from guests.
“Caerleon Golf Membership is just not a public proper of method however it’s tough to stop irresponsible canine walkers from accessing elements of the course, notably at evening and early within the morning.”
Julian in contrast the course to Llanyrafon Golf Course which he mentioned had been in a horrible state earlier than new personal buyers took over the course and remodeled it that means golfers now must ebook to be able to play there.
He added: “I am not anticipating a Championship course nevertheless it’s completely unplayable and it appears to be getting worse.”
Julian additionally burdened that the one different possibility in Newport was to play on the Celtic Manor the place a spherical of 9 holes will set you again considerably extra.
