THE SECOND FAIRWAY on the Medal golf course at Montrose, is to be realigned.

The work is expected to start early in the new year and will ensure play on the course is unaffected by coastal erosion for the foreseeable future.

The realignment has been prompted by Angus Council’s decision to re- profile the sand dunes along the edge of the second hole.

This will involve cutting into the rough on the right hand side of the fairway to reduce the angle of the dune face down to the beach.

“The decision to carry out this work is based on health and safety considerations and will most likely be taken at quite short notice,” said course manager Richard Cutler.

“In order to ensure golf can be played along that stretch of land for as long as possible, the board of Montrose Golf Links Ltd (MGLL) have employed the services of renowned golf course architect Martin Hawtree for expert advice and help.”

The plan is to remove some of the whins, import top soil and seed the area.

The work will start early next month and be undertaken by John Greasley Ltd, golf course contractors and MGLL staff.

“Some disruption to the hole will occur while work is in progress but this will be kept to a minimum,” said Mr Cutler.

“A temporary teeing area for the second hole will be required while the work is being carried out.

“The new fairway area will be marked as ‘ground under repair’ and will not come into play until the spring of 2009 by when the new seeding will have established itself.

“Until then the existing fairway will remain.”

Mr Hawtree’s plan included the repositioning of the first tee and second and 18th tees to complete the realignment works. Notice will be given before any work being under-taken.

“The erosion has forced us to move tees in the past, but this is the first major realignment,” added Mr Cutler.