THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505310530
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Thirty-one golf carts were destroyed in a fire early Monday morning at Bide-A-Wee Golf Course, but officials have not determined a cause, authorities said.
Also damaged in the fire was a kiosk used as the starter shack.
Golf course manager Walter Ratcliffe said an employee who lives near the course reported the fire at 2:30 a.m. Monday.
``There are signs of arson,'' Ratcliffe said, adding that the city fire marshall is still investigating the blaze. Officials did not have a damage estimate.
The course, which is owned by the city of Portsmouth, lost more than half of its 60 carts in the fire. Ratcliffe could not say when replacement carts would be purchased.
The course, located near Greenwood Road, is operating as usual, except that a lot more golfers are walking instead of riding, Ratcliffe said.
``Business has been brisk and we've had a lot of cooperation from members,'' he said. ``We are renting a lot more pull carts than usual.'' by CNB