Golfers getting back into swing

Golfers getting back into swing

27 May 2020

GOLF has come out of the coronavirus lockdown — but it’s not exactly full swing ahead just yet.

Local clubs opened their doors last week for the first time in two months, much to the delight of their members.

However, clubhouses remain closed and players have to confirm to social distancing and a number of guidelines issued by the Golfing Union of Ireland, such as not touching flagsticks and bunker rakes in order to limit the chances of Covid-19 infection.

The clubs are also closed to non-members, which will mean a loss in revenue, and there are no competitions at present. Even so, there is a palpable sense of joy among the golfing fraternity.

St Patrick’s Golf Club in Downpatrick resumed last Wednesday and the captain, Robert McCausland, said he “was absolutely delighted”.

“The club is very pleased to be up and running again,” he remarked.

“We are very grateful to our green keepers who continued with their work during the lockdown and have delivered a golf course in magnificent condition for the members to enjoy.”

Mr McCausland said the club was now open to new members and that there were a “number of very attractive offers” in place for those who may wish to take up the game of golf.

He added: “The time sheets over the last few days are quite full and the car park has been busy with lots of smiling, happy faces about the club.

Wednesday also saw the reopening of Ardglass Club and Paul Vaughan, the club’s director of golf, said the course has been full up ever since.

“Our members have been playing in three-balls and going off every 15 minutes. We haven’t had a spare space since we re-opened,” he said.

“Everyone is delighted to be back and it’s great to see so many people about. I think our members were glad to get out of the house and back on to the golf course.

“We have a marshal at the front gate and the members are obeying the all the guidelines so that they can play casual golf.”

Mr Vaughan said the loss of visitors represented the loss of a major source of income for the club, but hoped this would be offset by new members.

“We have had a lot of enquiries about new members, but visitors’ green fees are a huge part of our business,” he said.

“Hopefully, we will be able to salvage something towards the end of the season and things will return to something near normal next year.”

At Spa Golf Club, near Ballynahinch, which re-opened on Friday, the captain, Gordon Martin said everyone was “excited at the expectation of getting back playing in a sport we love so much”.

He went on: “I am very aware of the sacrifices many people have made in our communities that allows us to get to this point. May I on behalf of Spa Golf Club members and their families thank all the heros in out communities.

“Spa recognises the great responsibility golf has in being one of the first sports to re-open after the lockdown and fully intends to adhere to all the protocols agreed by our governing body.

He said the club had been fortunate to be able to keep some greens staff working at the club over the lockdown period.

“The driest April on record put extra burdens on green keeping staff in terms of additional watering and essential maintenance. But we are pleased to say the course is looking just magnificent.”

Mr Martin also said it has been a difficult period from a financial point of view with not many golf clubs being eligible for any significant assistance under the various Covid finance packages. 

Bright Castle Golf Club, which is privately owned by the Ennis family, has also been busy since it re-opened last Thursday.

“The course is looking magnificent and the members are enjoying it,” said Linda  Ennis.

“It’s been a tough few months, but we’ve worked hard to keep the course maintained to a high standard and it’s really looking the part.

“The members are glad to be out playing and it’s great to see so many happy faces.”

“The last time the course was closed this long was about six or seven years ago and that was because of heavy show. It was a bit disheartening having the place empty in April and earlier this month when the weather was lovely.”

She added: We rely on visitors and societies for a good portion of our income, but we have had enquiries about new memberships, which is good news for us.”

Crossgar Golf Club president Paddy Bell heaped praise on the club’s green keeping staff for having the course in great shape and also revealed there has been a surge in new members.

“We have had a big uptake in new members in the past few weeks, which will help compensate for the lack of green fees,” he said.

“We re-opened last Wednesday and it’s fantastic to see people playing again. It gives you hope that everything may soon return to normality.

“The course is in great condition and that’s due to the green keeping staff who have worked hard during the lockdown. All praise is due them.”

Temple Golf Club has also been inundated with membership enquiries. Since it re-opened last week it has welcomed 20 new junior members.

Owner Tim Martin said the pandemic lockdown couldn’t have come at a worse time with membership subions due on April 1.

“As like every other club, our income disappeared overnight. We depend heavily on the income from the restaurant and bar and our cash flow dwindled rapidly,” Mr Martin said.

“We were only able to continue paying our staff each week because of some of the loyal members who paid their fees on time. To them we are very grateful. This kept us ticking over until the government job retention scheme kicked in.”

Mr Martin said the members had been very accommodating and were adhering to the guidelines and protocols.

“We look forward to progressing into the next stage, but will have to make sure it will be financially viable to open the restaurant and bar when the time comes,” he added.