Golfers Take A Swing At NI Water

A Northern Ireland water pipeline looks set to stop play at a popular south Belfast golf course, for up to six months.

Original plans suggested the piping could be placed under the fairways at Ormeau Golf Club, but now NI water has said it will have to dig down from the surface to complete the installation.

Club Treasurer Marcus Montgomery said the first and second fairways of the nine-hole course would be disrupted. The works will also affect the third green.

Mr Montgomery told the BBC: "With the open cut they intend to lift our third green, that would mean a replacement of that third green."

Digging at the course will prove disastrous according to Honorary Secretary Richard Barnes: "The plan that they propose would probably mean that the golf club would be closed for approximately six months."

Jack Davidson, a Greens Convenor, is concerned the disruption could have a negative impact on membership: "You need the fix of golf don't you? So people will go and play on other golf courses and if they do there is the possibility that they will stay there."

Belfast City Council owns the land the course is on. The proposed work is still to be presented to councillors.

Golfers at the club have suggested works could be completed by a large underground tunnel, and believe it is unlikely city councillors will be enthusiastic about NI Water's proposals.

The new pipeline forms part of the Belfast sewerage project, which runs underneath huge portions of the city.

Northern Ireland Water has responded to fears by saying it has been in discussion with both the course representatives and city council officials, and has no plans to move forward until there is agreement.

The club insists work should be done with the underground boring machines used elsewhere in the city, which would reduce major disruption.

Northern Ireland Water is expected to report back to the golf club following talks with the council.

(PR/JM)