A MAMMOTH task of pumping more than 1.6 million gallons of water began today after a New Brighton miniature golf course was all-but-washed away yesterday, Thursday.

The Championship Adventure Golf Course – which only opened in March of this year - is likely to be closed for at least two months after the tidal surge left it as what owners describe as a ‘swimming pool’ rather than a miniature golf course.

Wirral Globe: VIDEO: New Brighton's miniature golf course becomes a 'swimming pool' following tidal surge

Owner Nick Ashfield told the Globe he could not believe what was happening as he was forced to watch his beloved course destroyed as gale force winds whipped up hide tides, battering part of Marine Point and New Brighton Promenade.

Nick, who posted a video of the water's attack on Facebook (scroll down for video), said: “It was just unbelievable. I could not imagine in my worst dreams what was happening.

“There is about 1.6 million gallons of water that needs to be pumped out – it will probably take about four days of pumping.

“It looks more like a swimming pool rather than a miniature golf course.”
Nick added: “I still couldn’t believe it would flood that bad. I started to see the water coming over the road but just couldn’t image that it was going to do that and then it came down the hill and across the grass.

“It just collected nicely in this little bowl.

“We have only been open for eight months – it is the worst news to be honest.”

There had been plans to build a second course, adjacent to the existing one, in the new year but Nick says that will now have to be put on hold.

“We are going to have to completely refurbish the first course,” he explained.

“You can just about see the flag poles now so we are getting there but I’m sure there is going to be a lot of rubbish and damage once the water has cleared but I’m sure it isn’t terminal.

“It’s not good but the fight back begins today and we will come back shiny and new for next year.”

Nick thanked those who have posted comments on Facebook and Twitter for their concern and kind words.