An unusual hazard for golfers to contend with

Golfers at Stapleford Park, near Melton Mowbray, had more than just lakes and bunkers to contend with when a glider landed on the fairway of the 16th hole.

It is believed that the pilot lost altitude and was forced to land while taking part in the Midland Regionals event series, which was staged throughout last week from The Gliding Centre at Husbands Bosworth.

The golf club's PGA professional Rich Alderson, used a golf buggy to retrieve the pilot and co-pilot from the course and took pictures of the aircraft.

"I was in the clubhouse when I got a call from one of the members on the course," said Rich.

"They were playing the third hole and saw the glider come in to land on the 16th fairway, which runs parallel.

"I went out on a buggy and picked up the pilot and his co-pilot and brought them back to the clubhouse, where they waited for a couple of hours for their support team to arrive."

The 280-kilometre route of last Tuesday's event included the TV mast at Waltham on the Wolds, five miles from Stapleford Park, as one of its waypoints.

The glider landed safely on the course, well away from the luxury hotel and spa.

Story and Photo: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk