How Lutterworth Golf Club has bounced back just weeks after their historic clubhouse was deliberately burned to the ground

Lutterworth Golf Club is roaring back into action just weeks after their historic clubhouse was deliberately burned to the ground.

The prestigious club was left shell-shocked when their iconic 117-year-old clubhouse was torched by arsonists in a devastating fire late on the night of Saturday May 1.

But the proud club’s staff and 700 members are showing amazing fortitude, tenacity and resilience as they rebuild the sporting organisation which stretches all the way back to 1904.

Club manager Caroline Cartlidge told the Harborough Mail that they are bouncing back incredibly quickly as she paid a heartfelt tribute to local businesses and fellow golf clubs for their massive support.

“We were able to open the course to members once more the following Saturday, May 8 and social play and competitions have been played here at our beloved club ever since," said Caroline.

“We were successful in securing some basic temporary facilities for members and staff very swiftly.

“The offer of help and support from local businesses and other clubs has been overwhelming.

“We would like to say a huge thank-you to anyone and everyone who has helped us over this time.

“Other local golf clubs opened their course to our members whilst we were closed.

“And other clubs have helped to provide a venue for some of our functions that would have had to be otherwise cancelled.

“In particular we are grateful to db automation, a Lutterworth-based business who have provided our office staff with a base to work from,” added Caroline.

“We’d also like to thank the Wycliffe Rooms, also in Lutterworth, who have helped with a venue for meetings that were so necessary in planning the next phase of our recovery.”

On the course, she said their top-notch teams have knuckled down to do “amazingly well” since the catastrophic inferno destroyed their totemic clubhouse.

“Lutterworth has reached the finals of the inaugural National Golf Club Team Championship.

“Our brilliant Juniors have also done excellently with our Junior Captain qualifying for the National Schools Championships - and another winning the County Girls Captain’s Day,” added Caroline.

“In addition a group of eight members will also be participating in the Longest Day Challenge on Friday 25th June, playing four rounds, each in a different county.

“All the funds that we raise will go towards our Captains’ Charity this year – Mind.”

She also said they are now working hard on setting up a makeshift HQ at their Rugby Road base before they build a new clubhouse.

“We are currently planning for our new temporary facilities that will last us until we are able to rebuild the clubhouse permanently.

“So it really is onwards and upwards for our fantastic club,” said Caroline.

“And the devastating events of early May certainly hasn’t squashed our members’ appetite to play our beautiful course and to participate in some very competitive play!”

You can find out more about Lutterworth Golf Club on their website here: https://www.lutterworthgc.co.uk/club_newsThe heartbreaking blaze gutted the clubhouse as 40 firefighters from all over the area battled flames which tore hundreds of feet up into the night sky and could be seen for miles around.

Det Insp Charles Edwards, of South Leicester, Harborough and Wigston CID, said days after the fire was started: “Following an examination of the scene, this incident is being treated as arson.”

Appealing to any eye-witnesses or anyone with any information to contact police, he said: “I would like to speak to anyone who was near the golf club – in Rugby Road – on Saturday evening (May 1).

“Did you see anyone going acting in a way that seemed unusual or suspicious?

“Did you see anyone leaving the area shortly after 10pm?

“Motorists with dashcams in their vehicles or anyone who was in the area may be able to help our investigation.

“Any information you have could prove invaluable,” said Det Insp Edwards.

Visit https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quote reference 21*240197 or call police on 101 if you can help detectives.

No one has yet been arrested over the fire attack, said Leicestershire Police today.