Work underway to save Tenby 's historic golf course from further erosion

Work to save Tenby Golf Club’s course from further erosion is underway, although some have labelled the plans as a ‘scar’ on the seaside town’s South Beach.
Known as the ‘birthplace of Welsh Golf’ Tenby’s links golf course established in 1888, has over many years, and even more so in recent times, suffered from the ongoing effects of coastal erosion and storm damage at points along its interface with South Beach.
Despite the erection of some ‘soft defences’ at the foot of the dunes, the actions of ‘mother nature’ has now impacted the course to such an extent that parts of adjacent holes are being lost to the erosion.
Two years ago, the Golf Club submitted plans to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority with proposals to construct a ‘coastal defence project’ to protect the course situated alongside from further erosion.
The application proposed the erection of a ‘temporary coastal defence system’ incorporating gabion baskets and ‘mattresses’ made of steel frames and filled with stone, to be set out in front and laid on top of the existing dune system for an approximate length of 200 metres, to protect the dunes and golf course adjacent to them from storm damage and erosion, for a period of up to 10 years.
The plans were submitted by STRI (acting as the Club’s agent) who are specialists in sports and golf course development, construction, and reconstruction.
Work has finally got underway this month, towards the Penally end of the beach and dunes, however one resident of the village which the golf course encompasses, has been left less than impressed at the early stages of the plans progressing.
“This is the current works being carried out by the Tenby Golf Club members for the sum of £120,000, but in my humble opinion it's a scar on a precious Tenby/Penally visitor asset,” said Penally villager Dave Laming.
Members of Tenby Civic Society also expressed several concerns at the time the application was approved by PCNPA as to the impact on the character of the beach and the locality.
“The South Beach is still a natural beach backed by dunes, but the proposal will make it look more like a man made environment,” said Harry Gardiner from the Civic Society.
“Over the years, damaged by the sea, the caissons would be very unattractive - would they be removed then?” he added.