Bill West
Romsey Golf Club has been hit hard by a fire that broke out in its large machinery shed last Thursday afternoon.
Preliminary estimates put the damage at about the $100,000 mark, but this could be higher when a full assessment is carried out.
A mixture of rain and fog prevailed at Romsey (and elsewhere) on Thursday and a resident living adjacent to the golf course raised the alarm about 2.20pm after seeing smoke billowing from the machinery shed.
The shed is in a secluded location in the south-east corner of Romsey Park/golf course.
Four fire units from Romsey and Bolinda brigades and local police attended the blaze, confined largely to the southern end of the shed which does not have electricity connected.
Understandably, members of what is very much an active ‘self-help’ golf club were devastated by the damage.
A Massey Ferguson tractor, fairway mower, greens mower, a Toro ride-on and a front end loader were burnt.
Other losses included a trailer, a greens roller and 36 flag markers used on greens.
Even a sophisticated deterrent system to keep corellas at bay was destroyed.
The shed roofing and part of the interior was also damaged.
The golf club is appreciative of the efforts of the volunteer firefighters and others who lent assistance.
Like other golf courses in the district, Romsey has been hit hard by adverse weather and vehicles making their way to the scene had to be driven carefully to ensure they did not become bogged.
Investigations were soon set in train to determine the cause of the outbreak.
