Public urged to stay away from Prestatyn Golf Course following damage and dog mess in bushes

Prestatyn Golf Club, which is privately owned, has had cyclists riding and people walking across its course, dogs running free on its greens and bags containing dog mess being thrown in bunkers by owners, plus buggies pushed over its fairways.

Dale Milne, a member for 25 years and captain since December 2019, said: “It really is very upsetting to see the course being damage in this way over the last few weeks.

“I have been involved on the club council for more than five years and I’ve helped on the greens committee, so I appreciate how much works goes into keeping the course up to a championship status.

“We have dog mess on the course and in the bunkers, along with the plastic bags that hold the mess just discarded in the bushes and in the long grass. Dogs run through the bunkers and over the greens. It is just heartbreaking to see.

Dogs are running across the course

"If a green gets badly damaged, it can cost up to £50,000 to rectify. We just don’t have that money to throw away.”

Bollards have been put in place at the main entrance in an effort to deter dog walkers using the private car park, but the Barkby Beach entrance is more difficult to manage.

“It is more accessible, although we have made some interim repairs to the surrounding fence,” Mr Milne added.

“The path leading to Presthaven Sands Resort is a public right of way, but this does not allow members of the public to let their dogs run all over the course, cycle and in instances, play football on the pristine greens.”

Dog mess in bags has been thrown in the bushes

When normal play resumes, maintenance costs - of more than £125,000 per annum - by the greens staff - will have to be ‘intensified’.

Established in 1905 Prestatyn Golf Club covers about 150 acres and is on an ‘exclusive list’ to host prestigious tournaments including the Mid-Amateur Tour, Welsh Amateur Tour and The Clwyd Championship.

Mr Milne said: “Myself and all our members feel most fervent towards the club and where possible, we will undertake all measures to protect the course.

“We were forecast for an incredibly successful year, welcoming a significant number of valued visitors from all over the UK, but since closure, like many other golf clubs, we now face the financial impact of the current pandemic.”

The club said it does not have the funds to repair unnecessary damage

“Fortunately our members are exceptionally supportive and many of our suppliers have been extremely accommodating, but we do not have the funds to repair unnecessary damage caused by members of the public who have complete disregard for the golf course.”Mr Milne said: “We anticipate all the hard work, commitment and investment undertaken by the club will put us in a favourable position because of our excellent course and clubhouse facilities.“These events increase hospitality revenue primarily within the Prestatyn area, whilst also raising the towns profile.“Every year the captain organises a charity golf day. This has been planned for August so I sincerely hope we can still commence with this important event with all proceeds donated to Hope House Children’s Hospice.

Dog mess has just been left on the course

“We were also due to host a large charity day in support of a young North Wales man who is recovering from a form of blood cancer. S4C were due to film parts of the day and we are hoping the event can be rescheduled as again, it will be fantastic promotion for the club and Prestatyn town.

“All members understand the current sacrifices we are all enduring, but please could everyone be aware of the environmental damage dog fouling and other detrimental activities impacts on our championship course.

"We want to kindly ask the public to understand that it is private property. Please keep dogs on a lead, utilise public footpaths only and avoid the privately owned golf course.

"It is one of the finest courses on the North Wales Coast. It’s an asset that we hope will continue to bring revenue to Prestatyn for many more years to come.”