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Written by Andrea O'Neill
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 DEVASTATED members are determined that East Kilbride golf club will rise from the ashes after a blazing inferno reduced the clubhouse to a pile of smouldering rubble and twisted metal.
Fire ripped through the clubhouse last Tuesday night as up to 60 firefighters, drafted in from all over Glasgow, fought in vain to save the golf club building.
Members watched in despair as the rapid fire engulfed the private clubhouse for over five hours and tore through the home of club steward Duncan McSporran.
Arctic conditions and Siberian winds hampered the 12 fire crews as they fought to bring the inferno under control.
Now reduced to a desolate shell, its 800 members are attempting to come to terms with the loss of countless irreplaceable and cherished sports memorabilia and hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of expensive golfing equipment.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue are still investigating the cause of the fire which is believed to have began in a locker room. MEMBERS of East Kilbride Golf Club are pulling together after a huge fire destroyed their clubhouse.
Crowds of distraught members gathered at Nerston Village last Tuesday night and watched helplessly as the inferno ripped through the building.
Emergency services were stretched to the limit as the fire raged from 6pm late into the night.
The fire crews battled to save the building but strong winds hampered their efforts.
Senior fire officers were unable to assess the wreckage until late Wednesday afternoon as firefighters were still dousing the flames.
Club Captain Brian Henderson says he is shattered but insists the club must now look to the future.
He said: “All our members are devastated. Part of the frustration was knowing there was nothing that could be done and we just had to stand back and watch it burn to the ground.
“We can’t believe how bad the damage is but we’ve got to be positive and look forward now.”
No one was injured but Club Steward Duncan McSporran and his wife June are particularly badly hit having lost their home and possessions in the blaze.
Brian added: “The most important thing is no one was hurt. Duncan and June have lost everything so we’ve got to think about them, find them accommodation and get things back to normal. People have lost golf clubs but they’ve lost their whole life.”
The damage bill is expected to run into millions but Brian says the worst result is the void it has left in people’s hearts as countless pieces of cherished memorabilia went up in smoke.
The only saving grace is the 6402 yard parkland course was untouched and opened for play yesterday.
He continued: “The hard part for the club is the lost history that can’t be replaced. The trophies, team photographs and paintings donated to us are all gone.
“I think guys who were involved in the 60s will feel it the most because they put their heart and soul into building and developing this club.”
The club intend to start the golf season as normal in April and are aiming to rebuild the clubhouse, which is expected to take up to 18 months to complete. Brian added: “People are rallying round and lots of other local clubs in the town have offered to help so we are very grateful. We have to think to the future. In two years we will have a brand new clubhouse.”
Former junior champion Michael Sweenie, who is now head teaching professional at the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy at Turnberry, says he spent almost every day practising at East Kilbride with the likes of Marc Warren and Chris Boyle. Michael, 24, said: “I enjoyed five great years as a member of EK Golf Club so I was extremely saddened when I heard the news that the clubhouse had been destroyed in the fire.
“I have great memories of playing pool for hours in the junior room, prizegivings and socialising. Many trophies which date back over 50 years have been destroyed and many of my friends have lost clubs and valuables.”
Playsport golf complex manager Colin McEwan said: “The only silver lining is they will have a brand new clubhouse and nice new facilities.
“If there’s any way we can help the members we will.”
An investigation is being carried out by Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and this may take up to three weeks. Members can keep up to date at www.ekgolfclub.co.uk.
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