Golf club owner locks out members

THE owner of a private golf course was criticised yesterday for playing hard ball by locking club members out.

Michael Bowes, the owner of Fernhill Country Club in Carrigaline, shut his 18-hole golf course on Sunday morning as a bitter row over membership rights escalated.

Up to 30 club members who turned up to play found the course entrance blocked. They staged a protest at the gates until mid-afternoon and vowed last night to stage another protest next weekend.