The golf course at King James VI Golf Club in Scotland has fully reopened 18 months after a devastating flood left it unplayable.
Located on Moncrieffe Island in Perth, the 18-hole course at The King James VI Golf Club was left under three feet water when Storm Babet struck in October 2023, but following 18 months of hard work by staff and the membership – and a £75,000 rebuilding fund – the full course has finally reopened.
The storm tore a 120ft hole in the island’s flood defences and, although the water was drained, the club feared permanent closure due to the extent of the damage and several other Scottish courses shutting down recently.
Only nine holes were playable after the flood and repair time was increased due to the island’s location, with supplies only able to reach the club during low tides between April and September.
Talking to The National, Club captain Scott Fenton said: “Before the flood, we had managed to more than double our visitor numbers – we had lots of people who wanted to come and play such a unique and historic golf course and as a club we were really on the up. Obviously with the issues we had visitor income dropped right off and it made it really difficult for the club.”
Fenton was full of praise for club members who assisted in repairs, even when much of their work was undone by further flooding. “They were out clearing the holes by hand, even when they kept getting flooded over and over until the flood defences could be rebuilt,” he said. “Every time we asked they would come and clear debris and then a high tide would come in and we’d be back to square one. It was nothing short of soul destroying, but they stuck to the task and for that we are eternally grateful.”
Opened in 1897 and designed by Old Tom Morris, The King James VI Golf Club’s course is believed to be the only self-contained inland island layout in the world.
