Citizens living miles away from the West Essex Golf Club could see black smoke billowing, and it turned out that the clubhouse of this century-old golf club had caught fire and had spread across the entire building.

“A fire has destroyed the clubhouse of the James Braid-designed West Essex Golf Club in Epping, London. Thankfully, no one is injured, and around 60 firefighters have worked to bring the blaze under control,” wrote Flushing It.

The two-story building, spread across 80 feet by 50 feet, was completely engulfed in fire by the time the firefighters arrived. Fortunately, a team of brave firefighters was able to control it. The clubhouse was opened in 1989 by Sir Michael Bonallak OBE. He was Britain’s most-decorated amateur golfer and former Captain and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and passed away in September 2023. The golf course was designed by James Braid, a five-time Open Championship winner, in 1900.

This course is of two distinctive halves. West Essex’s 6,385-yard championship parkland course is a par 71. The course is a real test of accuracy and power. The shorter front nine holes put up a strong defence to low scoring with undulating, narrow fairways, well-bunkered greens and ominous out of bounds hemming in errant tee shots. The back nine is longer from the tees and is more open in contrast to the front nine.

Speaking to The Mirror, a representative from the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said, “When the first fire crews arrived, they confirmed everyone was accounted for, and no one was injured. They requested additional fire engines to support.”

As per the latest update on Echo News, fire crews are working hard to prevent the fire from spreading to the rear of the building, and an investigation will be carried out, when safe to do so, to find the cause of the fire.

This is not the first incident to have occurred on a golf course in recent times. Several headlines have surfaced of accidents on the fairways over the last few months. Let’s look at some of them.

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An increasing number of incidents on golf courses in recent times

In late 2025, there were a couple of shocking reports of accidents or emergencies on golf courses. Both occasions included planes landing on the fairways while golfers were still playing.

Back in August, in Sydney, Australia, there was a terrible plane crash at the Mona Vale Golf Course. As reported by the local authorities, “At approximately 2.20 P.M. this afternoon, NSW Ambulance and other emergency services were attached to a light aircraft accident at Mona Vale Golf Course. On arrival, crews were confronted with a light aircraft that had made an emergency landing after losing power.” Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

Then, in November 2025, the Donald Ross-designed Bacon Park Golf Course observed an emergency plane landing. Once again, no one was injured, and the course didn’t even close for the day as the local authorities dealt with the situation speedily.