Golf enthusiast’s letter under fire

Andrew Jarret, The Courier, 10 October 2008

Tayside residents have sprung to the defence of the military after a golf fan at the Dunhill Cup event at Carnoustie claimed that he and his fellow spectators’ enjoyment was marred by the sound of gunfire from the nearby Barry Buddon ranges.

Mr William Douglas of Dundee questioned Carnoustie’s involvement in the competition and said the army had shown “a complete lack of respect” for Carnoustie and its visitors.

In a letter to The Courier on Wednesday he wrote that he was “astonished to hear such activity when such an important event was taking place.”

He added, “Isn’t it about time for them to find somewhere else for gunfire practice?

“There are plenty of areas of Scotland that don’t have a soul within 20 miles.”

With 700 men from Arbroath’s 45 Commando Group leaving for Afghanistan this week, Mr Douglas’s sentiments were not shared by local resident Tracy Sanderson, who said she noted his comments with “disbelief and mounting anger.”

She said, “Mr Douglas seemed more concerned with his day out watching golf being spoiled by ‘blasts of gunfire’ emanating from Barry Buddon than taking into consideration that the men using these ranges were squeezing in some very important last-minute training before being deployed into a hostile environment where the targets would be shooting back.

“I would remind him that Royal Marines Condor—home to 45 Commando and 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery—is situated only a few miles down the road and, as we speak, most are on their way to Helmand Province with the rest following very shortly.

“I find it hard to believe that anyone would grudge them any last-minute practice,” she added.

“His letter showed a complete lack of respect for the sacrifices that they and their families make on a regular basis.

“I fully understand that golf is very important to him but perhaps this should be put into perspective as it is, at best, a day out and not a matter of life and death.”

Sandra Fisher of Dundee pointed out that the Dunhill Cup has been in existence since 1985, while Barry Buddon has been used as a military training area since the late 1800s.

“Mr Douglas must surely be aware that soldiers are required to train for operations across the globe as part of the UK’s defence commitment,” she said.

“Only last week The Courier reported on 45 Commando’s deployment to Afghanistan. These issues ought to have been obvious to anyone with a shred of common sense.

“For Mr Douglas to state that the army showed a complete lack of respect for Carnoustie, its residents and visitors is complete and utter nonsense.

“Isn’t it about time the loyalty, commitment, dedication and bravery of our forces be praised, instead of individuals criticising them without any understanding of the soldiers’ tradecraft?”

An army spokesman said, “During the time of the Dunhill Cup that your reader writes about, troops were preparing for operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It would be wholly inappropriate for members of the British Army and Royal Marines to deploy into theatre without the necessary training.

“In response to the comment about using other areas in Scotland for firing practice, the law demands that live-firing is conducted on ranges that are properly manned and licensed.

“It is simply against the law to have live-firing exercises in non-licensed areas, however desolate,” he added.

“The Barry Buddon ranges did not receive any correspondence from either Carnoustie Golf Club or the Dunhill Cup organisers requesting to close the ranges.

“We have received such requests in the past and have arranged to close the ranges during past Open Championships and indeed past Dunhill Cups.”