Dogs blamed for causing damage to Dundee’s courses

By Alistair July 4, 2016 02:36 Updated

Two golf clubs in Dundee have made a plea to local dog owners to do more to stop their animals causing damage to their greens.

Caird Park and Camperdown golf clubs are both run by Leisure and Culture Dundee, and its golf manager, Philip Harrison, has said the problem has been getting worse.

Local dog owners are using the sites for walks and the dogs are digging up the greens – causing a headache for greenkeepers, he said.

Flickr / Roger Bunting

He told Scotland’s Tele: “We do have issues with dog walkers on both courses but, more recently, at Camperdown. We seen quite a lot of damage on the greens in particular. There have always been issues with the dogs, but none more so than now.

“There’s no rules to stop dogs going on to the course but they are supposed to be under control and stay off the greens and bunkers, but that doesn’t happen.

“We also get professional dog walkers with six to eight off their leads and running right across the course. We’ve had particularly bad damage to holes seven, eight and nine on the greens, where the holes have been dug up.

“The thing is, it’s causing us a lot of work. The guys keep going out to repair the greens and then they come back the next day and they’ve dug up the same holes again. It’s frustrating for everyone involved — not only our staff but for the people of Dundee playing golf too.”

Philip says his greenkeepers have tried themselves to approach offending dog walkers. But sometimes the reaction can be a negative one and he wants the attitude to be changed.

He said: “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not every dog walker but it’s the minority who let their dogs do what they want on the course. We have approached dog walkers about it in the past and some say sorry. But our staff have in the past had a pretty hostile reception from others. Sometimes it’s advice for their own safety too. The last thing you want is for you or your dog to be hit by a golf ball, but that’s what could happen if you let your dog run across the golf course.

“My message would be: if you’re going to exercise your dogs, don’t do it on a golf course do it in a park or elsewhere, if you can. We do also get dog mess on the course. But it’s the damage they’re causing which is the biggest issue at the moment. We can’t stop it, but please have a bit of respect when you’re out there with your dog.”