It’s business as usual despite flooded fifth (From Worcester News)

It’s business as usual despite Evesham Golf Club's flooded fifth

11:08am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

IT has been ‘business as usual’ at Evesham Golf Club despite the course’s signature hole being lost beneath the River Avon during the winter floods.

The picturesque fifth hole at the Fladbury course runs parallel to the river but, since the Avon burst its banks before Christmas, the par five has been submerged.

However, with the rest of the course remaining above the flood water, the greenkeeping team were able to bring a spare green into use to keep the course open.

In fact, only two days of golf were lost when the course was forced to close by the recent terrible weather and members have been happy to carry on regardless of the flooded fifth.

Evesham professional Daniel Clee explained: “We are very fortunate that, despite being right alongside the river, we haven’t had to close the course due to flooding apart from those two days.

“It is only the river hole that has been affected but sadly that is probably our best hole — it is one of the best in Worcestershire. The members understand the situation.

“We are fortunate to have an extra green on the course that we can use, so we still have a measured, competitive course we can run competitions on.

“The green staff are well versed in making the alterations and step up as quickly as possible as sometimes the river level can rise up overnight.”

Clee added: “The flooding has been quite extensive this Christmas and the river also came over onto the course for a week back in the summer, but it only takes a few days for it to go back down and the course to be playable again.

“The green staff were hoping to get the fifth hole back open over the weekend but there is no point rushing it and the hole will still be very muddy, so it will probably be later this week before it reopens.”