Action from the weekend as golfers flock back to Forres Golf Club
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A LOCAL sports club welcomed more than 300 members back to play on the first weekend of coronavirus lockdown restrictions being eased.
From the opening tee-off at 8am on Friday, May 29 to closing for the night on Sunday, May 31, a total of 330 golfers played Forres Golf Club as phase 1 of the Scottish Government's route map out of the Covid-19 pandemic kicked in.
Club manager Sean Blacklaw was delighted to welcome everyone back.
He said: "The long-anticipated return was worth the wait with glorious weather and a fully booked tee sheet. Every golfer I spoke to was full of optimism about their game and looking forward to getting back on to our wonderful course.
"Apart from getting players out of the house for exercise, golf also contributes to sound mental health. And of course, there is the social element which has been so difficult under lockdown restrictions.
"It was great to see so many golfers of varying generations and abilities playing and it was great for my staff and I to get the opportunity to welcome our members back.
"Many of our golfers complimented the condition of the course given the restricted essential maintenance measures put in place by the government. It is great knowing the hard work which our greens staff and volunteers put in to maintain the course paid off!"
Blacklaw thanked the players for supporting the coronavirus guidelines and restrictions currently in place to ensure everyone's safety.
He also explained that the club's software provider is in the second phase of beta-testing new score input functionality in a mobile app. The app will be key to an initial return to competitive golf at Forres Golf Club as a method of scoring that does not require handling or exchanging of scorecards.
Blacklaw said: "While competition, visitor and guest income are important to maintain financial stability, the health and safety of our golfers and staff remains the most important factor in any changes we make to our 'Protocol for the Re-Introduction of Golf' document.
"The guidelines and restrictions are under constant review by our committees and me. When we receive the advice from the government, health authorities and Scottish Golf we will adjust these measures appropriately."
