Fire proves no handicap for golfers

12:54pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

IT WAS business as usual at the Lickey Hills Golf Club over the weekend despite arsonists torching the clubhouse.

Police believe vandals started the fire deliberately after breaking into the club room early last Friday morning. It took firefighters from Bromsgrove and the West Midlands from 12.40am until about 4am to extinguish the fire. The room was totally gutted but fortunately the professional's shop, also in the single storey building, was unaffected.

"It is unbelievable anyone would break in at all. There is nothing of any great value to steal.�

Licensee of the Rose and Crown Hotel Andrew Hodges, who also manages the golf course cafe.

Licensee of the Rose and Crown Hotel Andrew Hodges said the visitor's cafe, which he also manages, was badly smoke damaged. All the equipment had to be washed down.

He said: "We have all worked very hard to get the cafe up and running again for visitors, for what is the busiest time of the year. It is unbelievable anyone would break in at all. There is nothing of any great value to steal."

Golf professional and manager, Mark Toombs, said: "It's so sad that in the society we live in today, individuals think it is clever to do things like this to a popular public facility. We have a great golf course, however, which has not been affected, and we would urge as many visitors as possible to come and use it."

Police are urging witnesses or anyone with any information about the blaze at the Birmingham City Council-owned golf club off Rose Hill, to contact them as soon as possible.

Acting Sergeant Dave Hind said the cost of the damage had yet to be determined but there was no indication anything had been stolen.

He said: "The club room has been gutted but there was no attempt to break into the pro shop which was not affected by fire and is still open, as is the golf course. There are some members who had property damaged by the fire and obviously they are very upset about it.

"We really need the public's help in tracing those responsible and I would urge anyone who saw any suspicious vehicles or activity in the area at the time or beforehand to contact us straight away on 08457 444 888, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

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