Loch Lomond in race to fix greens after ice damage

LOCH Lomond Golf Club is facing a race against time to get the course in shape for this summer's Barclays Scottish Open after all 18 greens were damaged by the severe winter weather.

After calling in turf experts to address the problem, four of the putting surfaces have been completely returfed while 14 temporary greens are in operation as a result of much of the course being under a sheet of ice in December and January.

"This is an unfortunate situation but is a consequence of the serious damage wrought by the most severe winter witnessed in the area for 30 years," said the club yesterday. "The situation has also been exacerbated by cool spring temperatures which have delayed the start of the growing season."

The European Tour are monitoring the situation but say they are not contemplating a contingency plan for the Scottish Open, which takes place on 8-11 July with a field headed by Masters champion Phil Mickelson.

"The European Tour has been in constant communication with Loch Lomond Golf Club, our joint venture partners in the Barclays Scottish Open, ever since the issues with the greens came to light," said championship director Peter Adams. "We have made regular visits to the course with our agronomy experts and we receive weekly updates. We are not contemplating a contingency."

The Scotsman has learned that the turf experts were called in after the greens became damaged when much of the course was covered by 50mm of ice for a period of 25 consecutive days.

With a recovery programme implemented, the club wrote to members to inform them of the decision to introduce the temporary greens for a full month.