Bowling Green Fire Examiner David McCarty photographs the remains of the Hobson Grove Golf Course clubhouse today. Fire units arrived at the fire, which was apparently started inadvertently, at 5:45 a.m. Photo by Joe Imel

Fire officials believe a homeless man is responsible for starting a early morning fire that destroyed the clubhouse at Hobson Grove Golf Course, though they dont think there was criminal intent. Bowling Green Fire Examiner David McCarty said David Bollinger, 53, of Nashville had started a fire in a can next to the building to stay warm and it engulfed the building. He says the fire appears to have been accidental. According to Bowling Green Fire Chief Gerry Brown, five units were called to the scene at 5:30 a.m. and found the building engulfed in flames. By 7 a.m. the fire was contained. Its a total loss, nothing there to salvage. We still have a couple of mop-up crews on the scene, Brown said. Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Ernie Gouvas said the building, which was built in the mid-1960s, is totaled. We lost greens mowers, fairway mowers, aerators, merchandise and 40 golf carts everything it takes to run a golf course was in there, Gouvas said. The building had a lot of personality; it was part of the course. We hate to see it happen. Gouvas doesnt yet have an estimate on the value of the equipment, merchandise and structure lost in the fire, but said the city will rebuild. Its hard to operate a course without a pro shop, Gouvas said. Gouvas said a Labrador named Bogie died in the fire. The course will remain closed until further notice.