A fire that destroyed the covered driving range at the academy at Swanston Golf Club in Edinburgh on December 30 is believed to have been started deliberately.
The fire destroyed all four practice bays at the facility and a specialist coaching bay where the latest swing radar technology was used as part of the training.
A fundraising campaign has already been launched by the club’s members to help with the rebuild of the academy, with more than £17,600 of the £50,000 target already having been pledged.
The local police said they believe the fire was started deliberately and officers are appealing for information, particularly in relation to three male youths seen in the area around the time of the fire at 11.45pm on December 30th.
Coach Peter Arnott said that the facility had become a real community for golfers to practice, and that the golf academy website was due to be launched on New Year’s Day with structured learning programmes for the junior members, ladies, girls, beginners, recreational golfers and elite pathways.
He also said they had been delighted with the support from the golfing community. Swanston-based clubfitter Scott Gourlay has allowed the club’s coaches to continue with coaching for the next few weeks by enabling use of two bays at his facility which is located next door.