Doors closed at storm-wrecked golf club

The storm at the Eakring Road, Mansfield, club caused nearly 800 trees to be damaged, snapped or uprooted and members playing in the competition on the day reported being lifted into the air before being unceremoniously dumped back on the ground.

Fortunately there were no serious injuries.

Due to the danger of trees and branches hanging precariously close to other trees, the course has been closed until remedial works can be undertaken.

The Council have also closed the footpath alongside the course.

Club secretary Ellen Matthews said: “The club is working hard alongside its insurer to make good the damage and to reopen the course as quickly as possible.

“We are not 100 per cent sure how long we are likely to be closed at the moment, but hopefully we should return to normal before the beginning of the playing season in April.

“Fortunately there were only a handful of players out on the course at the time and they were making their way back to the clubhouse as the klaxon had sounded because of the thunder and lightning.

“No one was injured at all, although some were blown a little way. Golf brollies blew away and were broken, but nothing more serious than that on the course.”

Sherwood Forest Golf Club, established in 1895, celebrated its centenary on the current site in 2012 and had never experienced anything like this before.

“I believe the club suffered from strong winds back in the mid-70s but certainly nothing on this scale,” added Ellen.