Solheim Cup - DAY 2 - Catriona Matthew hails "crucial" lead for Europeans

Just as well Catriona Matthew is a cool customer. A calm head, after all, will be needed in the European team room heading into the last-day singles after a roller-coaster ride for her players so far in the 17th Solheim Cup in Ohio. 

Leading by three points overnight, the Europeans were up in all four games at one point in the morning session on day two at Inverness Club in Toledo only for the momentum to swing over to Pat Hurst’s US side.

Matthew is now bidding to become the first European captain to record back-to-back wins and she’ll certainly have faith in her players after the way they dug deep in the penultimate session.

“It was certainly a roller-coaster this afternoon,” said Matthew. “The last 20 minutes for us was crucial, I think. After having such a big lead from yesterday, we wouldn’t have wanted to give it all up, so it is great that we are going into tomorrow with a two-point lead.“

READ MORE - BY MARTIN DEMPSTER - THE SCOTSMAN

It was a day of two halves and, no, I'm not just talking about there being a morning and an afternoon session! Team Europe lead Team USA by two points heading into the singles matches.

Two sessions and two similar outcomes made for a thrilling second day at Inverness Club. 

In the morning session, Team Europe started in the way they had finished on day one, but after a strong start the leaderboard shifted to red. The same happened in the afternoon session, except it was Team USA who started strong and Team Europe who then made a comeback. The day ended with USA gaining four points to Europe's three and setting up a final day that is just too close to call.

WOMEN AND GOLF REVIEW - CLICK HERE

Results Day 2

Day 2 Foursomes - USA 3 GB&I 1

Day 2 Fourball  - USA 1.5 GB&I 2.5

After Day 1 and 2 -- USA 7 GB&I 9

Monday Singles  

Nordqvist v Thompson 

Sagstrom v Ewing 

Maguire v Kupcho 

Hall v Korda 

Boutier v Harigae 

Madsen v Ernst 

Castren v Salas 

Ciganda v Altomare  

Popov v Khang  

Reid v Noh 

Hull v J Korda  

Pedersen v Kang

MHAIRI MCKAY AND SISTER FIONA -- ARTICLE IN THE SCOTSMAN NEWSPAPER - IF YOU MISSED IT

In case you missed this great article by Martin Dempster (The Scotsman) a couple of weeks ago a young Mhairi and sister Fiona (Norris) - current Lanarkshire Ladies' County Captain -- CLICK HERE to read the full article --

Mhairi McKay followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Fiona, as she came through the amateur ranks in Scotland, benefiting from the patience shown by her sibling as she “hung on to her coat-tails” to play in two Curtis Cups

She then enjoyed a successful collegiate career during a ground-breaking scholarship stint at Stanford University at the same time Tiger Woods was there before enjoying the highlight of her professional career when winning the Australian Open in 2003.

McKay, who now lives in Los Alamos in New Mexico, also played in two Solheim Cups, including a success in Sweden in 2003 alongside her long-time friend Janice Moodie and Catriona Matthew.

Clear this one up: did you start to play at Bothwell Castle or Turnberry?

MM: I played a bit at Bothwell Castle, but my parents, Peter and Mary, had a little holiday place in Girvan and I would play the first eight holes at Girvan as a little thing before becoming a member at Bothwell Castle. The first eight holes at Girvan are brilliant and, when I get back home, it’s nice for my two kids to learn on the same track I did and it’s funny the memories you have as a youngster there and how big and intimidating it seemed then but, to then go back and play it again as a bit more experienced player, it seems a bit more manageable (laughing).

You clearly had some great family memories from those early days playing the game?

MM: Yeah, my sister Fiona also played and also my brother Kenny, who is a year older than my sister. We’d go out and I’d have my little hickory-shaft golf club and they’d let me have a hit out on the fairway and not try and hold the game up behind. It was great the five of us being out on the golf course and those are special golf memories that help plant the seed.

So, it was through having that home in Girvan that you became a Turnberry member?

MM: My mum was the first member of the family to become a member at Turnberry in 1977, I think. Then my sister and brother joined the junior section, as I eventually did as well, and my dad was the last one to join as he was so busy working. I have some very happy memories from playing at Turnberry, too.

How important was playing there in your development as a golfer?

MM: Gregor and Bob Jamieson were so important to my career and also my sister’s career. Before Gregor moved over to Lake Nona, he was great, giving my brother and sister lessons and was patient enough to let me tag along and give me some instruction, too. When he moved over to the States, we had lessons from Bob and it was that traditional coaching and playing by feel. Turnberry and the Jamiesons definitely played an instrumental part in our development.

You won the Girls’ Amateur Championship back-to-back in 1992 and 1993. You must have realised then that you were pretty decent at the game?

MM: Those were good, fun victories down at Northamptonshire and Helensburgh. There was always another goal to play for. I just loved trying to get into the Scottish Girls’ team and then the Scottish Under-21s team and then a senior internationalist then playing in the European Team Championship and then the Curtis Cup. There were always these little stepping stones and I was really lucky to have an older sister who led the way for me and was always happy for me to hang on to her coat-tails and have the patience to take care of her little sister. Her friends also didn’t mind having this wee girl four years younger than them tagging along. I was always trying to keep up with Fiona by making teams, starting at county level and then Scottish Schools’ teams and so on.

It must have been a special occasion when you and Fiona played on the same Scotland team in the 1992 Women’s Home Internationals at Hamilton?

MM: Yes, definitely. I have a picture up on the wall in my home, I can see it up in the other room right now, of Fiona and I together. I was just so lucky to have my sister be so successful in the game and go ahead and do things before me. Seeing what she was achieving made me want to follow in her footsteps and keep up with her. It was great to be able to play in the Home Internationals together, though I honestly can’t remember if we played together that week (laughing).

You played in two Curtis Cups, joining Catriona Matthew, Janice Moodie and Myra McKinlay in flying the Saltire in a draw in 1994 then being part of a win two years later with Janice Moodie and Alison Rose?

MM: The draw was at the Honours Course in Chattanooga and that was a big deal to take the trophy on American soil. To then go to Killarney two years later and win outright, I’ve got brilliant memories of both occasions but particularly Killarney as we had amazing support there from the Irish golf fans and the other people who’d made the trip over. It was one of those amazing, brilliant weeks.

How did your move to Stanford University come about as you were the first international female player to be offered a golf scholarship there?

MM: I think there was a Swedish girl there several years before me, but she became really homesick and I’m not sure she stayed more than a year. The coach was concerned about taking a risk with another international player, but my mum’s really good friend from Bothwell Castle, Joyce Scott, it was all due to her, really, that I ended up at Stanford. She and her husband, Charlie, are very keen golfers and their daughter was a nurse at Stanford University Hospital and they’d go out and visit Val. She arranged for them to go and play at Stanford golf course and they bumped into the women’s golf coach at the time, Tim Baldwin, and struck up a conversation, saying ‘we know a girl who would love to come here’ and told him about a few of my achievements. I don’t know why they had it, but I was on the cover of the Golf Foundation’s Tee to Green magazine, having won the Daily Telegraph Junior Championship, with a nice article inside on that and they gave it to Tim, which started my whole connection. I’m not sure how else Tim would have found out about me if it hadn’t been for that. Through Bob Jamieson, there had been contact with Duke University, so I went on a recruitment trip to both places and ended up going to Stanford, where I enjoyed an opportunity of a lifetime.

They’ve been improved since, but I take it the facilities back then were still pretty special?

MM: You virtually rolled out of your bed in the dorm and found yourself on this amazing driving range, where you hit ball after ball, or an amazing short-game area, as well as having the chance to play an amazing golf course. At the time I was there, there were so many great players, including Notah Begay, Casey Martin, who had the Supreme Court case a few years ago over using a golf buggy, and the year after I started Tiger Woods came along. It was a really fun time to be there and the men’s and women’s teams were really close. We were always encouraging one another.

You won the Australian Women’s Open in 2003. What do you remember about that?

MM: It was at Terry Hills Golf in Sydney. I love Australia and I love Sydney. I remember my caddie saying on the back nine in the last round, ‘don’t look at the leaderboard’ and also holing a huge putt - it must have been 70 feet - from the side of the green at the 15th. I played really well on the back nine and made lots of birdies. I think Laura Davies had been leading going into the final round, but I just kept plugging away and making birdies. I didn’t look at the leaderboard until holing my final putt and it was great seeing my name at the top of it. That was really special and the Australian fans were great that week.

You played in two Solheim Cups, beating Beth Daniel in the second one in Sweden in 2003 to help secure a big win for Europe. How special was that?

MM: Yeah, the Solheims were great. In the first one at Interlachen, I lost to Pat Hurst in the singles. I actually played really well that day. She chipped in twice and we were both under par. There might have been one other girl on the European team who had better figures that day, but I just came up against a strong opponent in Pat. It was disappointing that the team didn’t get it over the line that day after being in a good position heading into the singles, so it was nice to get another chance in Sweden, where I managed to get a singles victory over Beth.

Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie were also part of that 2003 team. Have they both been a big part of your life in golf over the years?

MM: Absolutely, particularly Janice. Catriona is that little bit older and I think my first Home Internationals in Wales, I think she was in the team and then she turned pro. Janice and I came up through the West of Scotland Girls together since I was 10 or she was around 12. It’s funny that we ended up going to college at the same time and she was at San Jose and I was at Stanford. We grew up together in Scotland and continued to see each other a lot when we were halfway around the world. To have somebody like Janice, who was so competitive and driven, a bit like my sister, you want to keep up with them and match or better them. Janice is still a great, dear friend and we keep in touch.

Tell us about some of your scoring feats at St Andrews?

MM: I was the first woman to break 70 on the Old Course in the St Rule Trophy with a 69 then, two years later, I shot 67. I was proud to then go back there and play as a pro and shot 67 again to tie the course record, though I think that has subsequently been broken. But it’s definitely nice to be able to say that I was a course record at St Andrews as it is a special place.

CLICK HERE to read the full article 

Scottish golf clubs get the green light to restart Opens

By Martin Dempster (The Scotsman) 

Scottish golf clubs have been given the green light to restart Open competitions but are being encouraged “not to drop guards” in the ongoing fight with Covid-19.

The welcome news for clubs was delivered by Karin Sharp, Scottish Golf ’s chief operating officer, in an update on guidelines yesterday.

“As stated last week, we lobbied Government in the strongest possible way to resolve the contradictory guidelines in relation to Open competitions,” she said.

“As has been the case throughout the last few months, through positive dialogue, the Government has taken on board our representation and we are extremely pleased to advise that our affiliated clubs are now able to host qualifying Open competitions.

“Whilst this is good news for sport, this is still a public health emergency and the following key points have been highlighted by government in relation to this guidance change:

● Organised and sanctioned open competitions must take place behind closed doors with only competitors and essential competition staff in attendance.

● No spectators.

● No family members (except for parents or guardians of children or vulnerable adults).

● A register of all attendees should be maintained.

● Travel to and from competition must not mix households, ie no car sharing.”

Sharp sounded a warning by adding:“there is no shortage of evidence that the virus is still prevalent, and as a sport we must not drop our guard and ensure that we do everything we can to keep our golfers and golf clubs safe.

“We urge all of our clubs and their members to comply with all Government guidelines, both locally and nationally.

“It has been a long journey back to this point for golfers and clubs and I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in adhering to the guidelines.”

Scottish Golf says Phase 3 guidance ‘remains unchanged’

Scottish Golf have issued a statement regarding the position of Open Competitions which are still not permitted in the traditional manner. 
The statement does however seem to indicate that, by definition, if the format is a non qualifying round, and complies with all other COVID-19 regulations, then other formats of play involving visitors is permitted. 
 This seems to leave a loophole open to clubs and societies to generally hold events provided they are not qualifying events for handicap purposes. 

 The full Scottish Golf statement reads:- Following the First Minister’s update today, we wish to inform all clubs that there are no further easing of restrictions directly relevant to golf clubs or their operations and as a result, our Phase 3 guidance remains unchanged at this time. 
 However, following an increased volume of enquiries and growing confusion across the membership, we wish to take this opportunity to clarify Scottish Golf’s position on Open Competitions. 

 The definition of an Open Competition concerning the current route map out of lockdown is “a qualifying round of golf played at a venue away from a player’s home club.” 

Any other format of play that takes place by visitors to golf clubs is permitted provided that all related COVID-19 regulations including travel restrictions, sanitation protocols and physical distancing protocols are met, along with industry-specific guidance being adhered to both on and off the course.

 We continue to respect and follow the guidance issued by the Scottish Government and will continue to work with them to contain the spread of the virus to save lives. 

 We urge all our member clubs to continue with the current guidance but can assure our members that we will continue to make representations on behalf of our clubs to Government in the strongest possible way to bring about change.

We will continue to keep all member clubs appraised of any changes to guidance and as always clubs should note that restrictions may be re-introduced if anything changes on a local or national basis. 

 To keep up to date with all of the latest COVID-19 guidance for golf in Scotland, people should visit Scottish Golf's dedicated web page. 

Kind regards, The Scottish Golf Team

READ MORE IN THE SCOTSMAN NEWSPAPER

Fourballs to return at Scottish golf courses but wait goes on for opens

By Martin Dempster (The Scotsman) 

Fourballs have been given the green light to return at Scottish golf courses from today as part of phase three of the Covid-19 restrictions being lifted.

But clubs have also been advised that there “remains no change” for competitive golf for the time being, meaning open events are still not permissible.

The announcements were made in Scottish Golf ’s updated guidelines following First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announcing the move into phase three of lockdown restrictions being eased. Phase one, which was implemented when courses reopened at the end of May, involved twoballs mainly, though two people from the same household were allowed to play in a threeball.

Normal threeballs were then given the green light at the start of phase two and now groups of up to four golfers with no restrictions on the number of households has been rubber-stamped by Scottish Golf.

That change coincides with face masks being required by golfers from today when entering a professional’s shop, with the new guidelines also including the go ahead for clubs to offer indoor hospitality from Wednesday, subject to maintaining physical distancing and appropriate hygiene routines.

While club competitions have already restarted with various safety measures in place, the wait goes on for open events to be given the thumbs up.

“At this time, there remains no change in stance on the playing of competitive golf, with only club competition permitted despite the relaxation of travel restrictions,” said Karin Sharp, Scottish Golf’s chief operating officer, in her latest update to clubs.

“All clubs are asked to continue to respect the government position in this regard and not seek to jeopardise the image or trust in the golfing community by overlooking this key aspect that is applicable across all amateur sports that are currently operating.”

The current guidance on competition from sportscotland and the Scottish Government states that “travel to a competition out with your normal club/venue of play is not permitted”.

Fraser Dunlop, sportscotland’s chief operating officer, said: “It is a positive step for sport that public health guidelines for daily exercise have been extended further as part of the Scottish Government’s route map through the pandemic.

“While this is good news, it is not a return to sport as we know it and the most pressing priority remains public health and wellbeing.

“As such, it is crucial that participants, and everyone connected with sport in Scotland, continue to play their part by adhering to the latest government guidance and the advice issued by the governing body of each sport to ensure the safety of all those involved.”

World's oldest golf society in Edinburgh welcomes new lady members

Eight women in first batch at historic Royal Burgess 

Seven of the new lady members at Royal Burgess Golfing Society were welcomed at the Barnton club today by captain Bill Mattocks. 

History was made in Edinburgh yesterday  as one of the oldest golf clubs in the world welcomed its first batch of new lady members. 

Royal Burgess Golfing Society, which was founded in 1735, has added eight ladies to its membership ranks in the first instance. 

To read more  Click Here to go to the Scotsman Newspaper

DRYBURGH Praises role model Rose for sponsoring new BRITISH Women’s Series

By Martin Dempster (The Scotsman) 

Gemma Dryburgh has heaped prizes on Justin Rose for standing up to women’s golf by sponsoring a new seven tournament series for women professionals. The opening event of the Justin Rose Ladies series will begin with a one day tournament on 18 June at Brockenhurst Manor in Hampshire, Rose’s home county.

The schedule also includes a trip to Royal St George’s, which had been due to host The Open in July before it was cancelled by the R&A due to the coronavirus crisis.

“I was so amazed when I heard the news Justin and [wife] Kate would be contributing to a series of events for us female professionals,” said Dryburgh, who holds cards for both the LPGA and LET but is waiting for those circuits to start up again.

“Liz Young, one of my fellow players, also deserves a big shout out as she came up with the initial idea of having an event at her home course and it sounds like things transpired from there once Kate and Justin heard about the event at Brockenhurst Manor.

It is such a good feeling to have such a high-profile player like Justin supporting us. It takes people like him to stand up for the women’s game to help move us forward and help people realise we have a great product and deserve more coverage and opportunities to show our skills.”

Dryburgh is hoping to play in the first four events in the series, which is set to be screened on Sky Sports Golf, and will be joined in the first one by Laura Davies. “Justin has always been a role model of mine,” added Dryburgh of the 2013 US Open champion and current Olympic champion.

“I was lucky enough to get a picture with him when I was at university as we used to volunteer at the PGA Tour event, the Zurich Classic, in New Orleans. Looking back on that moment now, it’s cool to think he’s now supporting these events that I’m going to be able to play in.”

Rose, who is believed to be contributing in the region of £35,000 as prize money, said he felt compelled to “step up and help” after reading about Liz Young and resident clubfitter Jason Macniven trying to run a ladies’ event at Brockenhurst Manor.

“I am sad that the Ladies European Tour has been suffering so badly and doesn’t really have a start date yet from what I know,” he said. “To me this seems somewhat unfair, my wife Kate and I felt there was an opportunity to step up and help.”

THREATENING SCOTTISH GOLFERS WITH LAW IS A WAY OVER THE TOP !

By Martin Dempster:

 Golf, believe it or not, has been the cause of the closest thing to a disagreement in the Dempster household during lockdown. More specifically, my good lady and I have differing views on the guidance about travel in phase one of restrictions being eased being a “broad five miles”.

In fairness, Mrs Dempster works in childcare, where safety is paramount every step of the way, and is a stickler for rules, hence why she believes that particular guideline, initiated by the Scottish Government and endorsed by Scottish Golf, should be adhered to by everyone for the time being.

That is primarily because, as a family, we have followed the restrictions introduced on 23 March, staying strictly within our local boundary other than delivering shopping to a relative on the shielding list and, as a consequence, feeling we are doing our bit in stopping the spread of Covid-19.

I have been totally on board with that and still am, but, at the same time, I don’t see too many problems, if any, from golfers utilising the “flexibility” talked about by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and using their own “judgment” to enjoy being back out on the course.

In some cases, that “judgment” call has been to jump in a car in Edinburgh and head to East Lothian or travel from Glasgow to Ayrshire because that’s where they normally play, which, surely, can hardly make anyone feel as though they are committing a heinous crime.

Especially not when you take into account the fact that the journey has been made by an individual on his/her own and, for the majority of the time, has been spent out in the fresh air with only one other person in an environment where social distancing is natural.

Since courses in Scotland reopened a week past Friday after being closed for nine weeks due to the coronavirus, I have not heard a single voice of discontent about clubs failing to deliver “safe golf ” through measures drawn up by the R&A, which is testament to staff and committee members at every single club in the country.

As was required, Scotland’s golfers have responded to mandatory restrictions in terms of format, bookings etc in exactly the way the clubs and also Scottish Golf were looking for, giving the impression that, at the end of the first full week of reopening, it was all tickety boo.

Not so, apparently. While it wasn’t aimed directly at golf, a letter sent on Friday to the chief executives of sports governing bodies in Scotland totally changed the tone around that “broad five miles” recommendation for recreation.

Sent by Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, and Mel Young, chair of sportscotland, it acknowledged that the “majority” of people had, indeed, adhered to that guidance but also highlighted “evidence” of a minority travelling “significant distances unnecessarily”.

If people continue to make such journeys, the letter states, the Scottish Government “may have to put the restrictions on travel distance

“It’s a shame, really, that the focus from Joe Fitzpatrick and Mel Young about golf’s return is not about the positivity in the game at the moment. The nation’s golfers are generating a real buzz in the game”

Due to the majority of games at the moment being two balls and clubhouses remaining closed, golf clubs are not places where groups of any worrying size are congregating, and both clubs and golfers should be publicly applauded for that by the Scottish Government.

Yes, a few golfers may be travelling a bit further than others at the moment for a game, but threatening them with the law is not necessary. It is over the top, in fact, and it’s a shame, really, that the focus from Fitzpatrick, in particular, but also Young about golf ’s return is not about the positivity around the game at the moment.

Helped by mental health being improved enormously as a result of being back on courses, the nation’s golfers are generating a real buzz in the game, feeling proud to be part of it and no longer cringeing about the possibility of it being knocked from pillar to post.

That’s what we should be highlighting as opposed to nit-picking about someone travelling five miles or 25 miles to enjoy a hit out in the fresh air on a summer’s day, especially in the sport’s cradle.

Click to enlarge and read full article 

SCOTTISH GOLF IS URGED TO REINFORCE TRAVEL ADVICE

The Scotsman

8 Jun 2020

By MARTIN DEMPSTER

Scottish Golf has been urged to reinforce guidelines for recommended travel in phase one of lockdown restrictions being eased after a warning that the “broad five miles” could become law.

The message was delivered to the chief executives of all the sports governing bodies in Scotland in a letter from Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, and Mel Young, chair of sportscotland.

They have acknowledged that the “majority” of people had adhered to the guidance to not travel more than five miles since golf was among the sports allowed to return, with courses reopening a week past Friday. But the letter also highlights “evidence” of a minority not abiding by the guidelines and travelling “significant distances unnecessarily”.

The letter adds: “If people continue to make journeys which risk spreading the virus, we may have to put the restrictions on travel distance into law.

“This is something we do not want to do, but may have to if we think it is necessary for the collective safety and wellbeing of everyone.

“We ask that you reinforce this with your clubs and members as a matter of urgency.”

£7m R&A funding will filter down to golf clubs but is ‘not a rescue package’

By Martin Dempster ( The Scotsman) 

All home nations are receiving a share based on number of clubs in each country

The R&A has said its recently-launched £7 million Covid-19 Fund is not a “rescue package” but, at the same time, is looking for national associations to use it to support clubs through a “difficult period”.

Since it was unveiled just over a fortnight ago, the fund has been “very well received” by national associations and other affiliated bodies in Great Britain and Ireland as it aims to help golf deal with the impact of the pandemic.

The R&A has set out guidelines about how the fund should be used by the likes of Scottish Golf and the other home unions, with the process for it filtering into clubs currently being finalised.

“A small number of national associations have been in touch so far, with more anticipated, and, following collective discussion with the home nations, they are now working on their plans and proposals,” a spokesperson for the R&A told The Scotsman.

“The funding will be spent where it can have the most impact. Within GB&I, each home nation is receiving a share based on the number of golf courses in their country. The process is already underway and, within the four home nations, we would reasonably expect grants to be reaching clubs by mid-summer.”

While courses around the UK and Ireland have now reopened, they all suffered a significant loss of revenue just as the new season was about to swing into action.

A number of clubs are now enjoying a boost in membership due to golf being one of the first outdoor sports activities to be allowed as lockdown restrictions are eased, but many still face an uncertain future.

“We don’t see this as a rescue package and haven’t described it as such,” added the spokesperson in reply to being asked if it was hoped the fund can make the difference in some clubs surviving a nine-week closure.

“But we do expect the funds to be allocated in ways to support clubs through what has been and will be a difficult period. Funds will be allocated by our affiliates where they believe the money will have the most impact.”

Martin Slumbers, the R&A’s chief executive, described the club scene as the “bedrock of our sport” when the fund was launched, adding the governing body had a “responsibility to do what we can to help in such a crisis”.

That is why the fund is being aimed at clubs facing “serious financial difficulties”, though, at the same time associations are being encouraged to use it for “other activities key to the future of the sport”.

Asked to expand on that, the spokesperson said: “As well as supporting golf clubs, we hope some of the funding will be spent on initiatives which we believe will help golf longer term. These include more clubs signing up to The R&A Women in Golf Charter, encouraging family play, ready golf, shorter forms of play and more.”

Scottish Golf said it will provide an update to member clubs about how it aims to utilise the fund as soon as the nuts and bolts are in place.

“Having welcomed the funding package for clubs affected by Covid-19, we are now in the process of developing an application framework that aligns to the overarching criteria of the fund and will update all affiliated clubs here in Scotland of the next steps, outlining how and when applications can be made, before the end of the month,” said 
a statement.

Meantime Scottish Golf’s AGM which was postponed in March as the coronavirus started to hit, has been rescheduled for 25th June, when it will be conducted via video and audio conference call. 

Scottish golf clubs enjoy boost in membership

By Martin Dempster (The Scotsman)

Scottish golf clubs are enjoying a membership boost from the game being one of the outdoor activities included in the first phase of lockdown restrictions being eased, with some clubs gaining between 70-80 members and the demand at another seeing the return of a waiting list.

Dwindling memberships have been the norm for several years in the home of golf, with the latest KPMG Golf Participation Report for Europe revealing that the number of registered players in Scotland fell by 7,500 between 2017 and 2018 as the overall figure dropped to just over 180,000.

Several clubs, including Eastwood in Renfrewshire, Brunston Castle in Ayrshire, Mount Ellen in Lanarkshire and Lothianburn, Torphin Hill and Whitekirk in the Lothians, were forced to close as clubs struggled to convince golfers that membership still had a value at a time when the pay-and-play market had grown arms and legs.

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A similar fate could be in store, unfortunately, for some other clubs due to the financial damage caused by a nine-week coronavirus shutdown, but, in the first week of courses being reopen in Scotland, a fair number around the country are being galvanised on the back of a sudden and unexpected rise in membership applications.

“From last week, we have officially gone back to a waiting list,” reported Kenny Monaghan, the PGA pro at Stirling. “In the build up to us reopening on Friday, the secretary dropped off the best part of 20 new member packs that had come in over a 10-day period.

“This is my fifth year here and this is the third time now that we’ve had a waiting list in that time. The demand is definitely there for golf club membership at the moment, and I think that is being helped by most clubs deciding to go with members only initially for the restart and not allowing visitors for the time being.”

At Aberdour on the Fife coast, close to 70 membership applications have flooded in since the lockdown started in March, with a dozen or so deciding to take out membership as a direct result of walking on or close to the course for daily exercise.

“It’s a massive boost for the club, especially after losing 48 members at the end of last season across all the different categories,” admitted captain Steve David. “Of the 67 membership applications we’ve had, six or so are returning members who have possibly now got more time on their hands, but the largest cross section are the so-called ‘nomadic’ golfer who, probably as a result of changes due to the Covid-19 crisis, have decided to now join a local golf club.

“The vast majority took advantage of an offer we pushed over 10 days recently, £500 cash upfront for 12 months’ membership. What is interesting is the age group seems to be mostly under 50’s, including a fair number of even younger applicants.”

In Edinburgh, The Scotsman understands that Craigmillar Park, another club which earned admirers from people walking there when it was closed, has signed up 80 new members and has more in the pipeline, raising hopes that certain categories could be capped for the first time in more than 20 years.

Elsewhere, lots of other clubs seeing smaller but equally important increases in membership numbers. “It’s gone a little crazy,” said one club professional, who asked to remain anonymous. “If I’m honest, golf needed a break. It’s come back stronger and we are in great position going into the delayed start to the season.”

Brora, the first Scottish golf club to express fears that it “might not exist” beyond the Covid-19 closure of courses in the UK, has also attracted 80 new members, including seven individuals paying £10,000 each for a special Platinum Membership.

“It’s almost like the world now understands what we have here at Brora and people realised we have a club worth saving,” said president Andy Stewart of the Highlands club now being in a healthier financial position through raising a six-figure sum, mainly from nemberships but also advance tee bookings, merchandise sales and online donations.

“We were looking forward to a bumper year of visitor numbers, projected at £350,000, before the Covid-19 pandemic halted us in our tracks in March. With a dependence on visitor income, we have had to be creative in our thinking to drive new revenue and we have simply been overwhelmed with the love for us from across the world. It has just been incredible for all of us to realise just how well regarded the golf club is. It really has been fantastic.”

South of the Border, a straw poll of clubs contacted by England Golf in the first two weeks of courses reopening revealed that a minimum of 15 new members had been recruited on average. “It’s wonderful to hear of lapsed members returning to the game or newcomers embracing the fact that golf is one of the healthiest and safest sports around,” said chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson. “It’s great news that many core values of golf club membership – camaraderie, freedom to play and a sense of belonging – once again have new meaning!”

Golf clubs have a real opportunity to shape bright new future for game

By Martin Dempster ( The Scotsman )

Many clubs have attracted new members as other sports are off limits due to the pandemic

Credit where credit is due. Scottish Golf’s decision to recommend two balls as the main format for the sport resuming after being shut down for more than nine weeks due to the Covid-19 pandemic appears to be working a treat.

Put it this way, the two rounds 
I’ve been lucky to get in since the courses reopened around the country on Friday have easily been the best in terms of seeing a golf course flowing how it should for a long time.

One of those rounds was in the morning; the other in the afternoon. The first took two hours 
45 minutes, which included a short delay for a TV interview on the 17th tee, and the second was five minutes quicker.

On both occasions, we never even came close to finding ourselves on the same tee with the group in front and it was the same with the group behind. In a nutshell, the guidelines recommended by the governing body and then implemented by the clubs did exactly what was needed.

There is still a nervousness about being in a supermarket, either inside or out, and seeing someone wearing a face mask or gloves and also getting uncomfortably close to someone who doesn’t seem to bother about social distancing.

In contrast, that precious time on the golf course brought back a welcome bit of normality, even though there was no hanging about the club, either before or after the round, and things may be slightly different out on the course with funky contraptions to retrieve balls from the hole without touching the flagstick and no rakes in the bunkers.

It had been feared that only single players might be permitted at the start in Scotland, but there would have been absolutely no need for that given that social distancing almost happens naturally out on a golf course.

Yes, the odd person might not feel entirely comfortable at the moment being in the company of someone from another household, but, for most, the chance to be reunited with a golfing buddy is being enjoyed the length and breadth of the country.

By the looks of things, the pace of play at most courses was along the lines of what we enjoyed at Aberdour. “We had 202 golfers at Crail today,” reported David Roy, the club manager at Crail Golfing Society, of Friday’s traffic along the Fife coast, “and the last round was completed in exactly three hours. Just shows you what can be done with no course furniture (ball washers, seats etc are out of commission for the time being) and two balls most of the day.”

It begs the question, of course, about the current situation being an opportunity for clubs to do something that can have a real impact in terms of tackling the game’s biggest problem – slow play – when the green light is given for three and four balls to resume, as is now the case south of the Border.

That will happen soon enough in Scotland and, yes, of course, it’s what will not only make the majority of members happy as they can start getting back out again in their normal groups but also help 
clubs as pressure is eased on tee sheets.

However, here’s hoping that some of those clubs perhaps introduce, for example, two separate windows in a day – two hours at the start, say, and then two hours in the afternoon - when only two balls are allowed.

Make no mistake, golf has been presented with an unexpected opportunity out of an unfortunate set of circumstances. Lots of clubs have attracted new members, which, let’s face it, probably wouldn’t have happened if football, in particular, but also other pastimes hadn’t been shut down.

It’s a chance that needs to be grasped with both hands, so let’s see clubs use what is happening right now to shape the future of the game, one that shows the sport in a better light than has often been portrayed in recent years.

Admittedly helped by some glorious golfing weather over the past few days, clubs have reopened to golfers with smiles on their faces, and I know I am not alone in sensing a new positive vibe out on the golf course.

It’s a chance that needs to be grasped with both hands, so let’s see clubs use what is happening right now to shape the future of the game, one that shows the sport in a better light than has often been portrayed in recent years.

Admittedly helped by some glorious golfing weather over the past few days, clubs have reopened to golfers with smiles on their faces, and I know I am not alone in sensing a new positive vibe out on the golf course.

“There is a great buzz at the club just now,” observed Bob MacIntyre, the Scottish No 1, of how he has found things at Glencruitten in Oban over the past few days. “That is great to see and I just hope it 
continues.”

SCOTTISH GOLF BEEN GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT.

By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman 

Scottish golf courses will be given the green light reopen a week on Friday, subject to final confirmation by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon next Thursday. 

Confirmation about a planned reopening date for the 550-odd courses in the home of golf following an eight-week shut down due to the coronavirus was delivered by Scottish Golf.

It came a few hours after the First Minister had announced that golf, tennis bowls and angling had been included among the outdoor sports activities being allowed in phase one of the Scottish Government's lockdown route map

Play will be allowed in two balls, which may consist of people from different households, and also in groups of up to four but from only two households at the discretion of individual clubs.

Tee time intervals will also be at the discretion of the club while travel to the course should be within the local vicinity, noted as broadly around five miles in the Scottish Government's four-phase route map.

Casual play only is recommended in the first instance to allow all membership categories the opportunity for play while clubhouse facilities must remain closed for the time being.

The date has been set to allow clubs to prepare to welcome back members, but it needs to be rubber-stamped by Sturgeon when she delivers the next official review of the lockdown restrictions next Thursday.

In a letter to clubs, Scottish Golf's chief operating officer Karin Sharp said: "We have been working with sportscotland and the government to ensure that golf aligns with the guidelines laid out for phase one easing of the current lockdown restrictions. 

"Whilst I know that in many people’s eyes this should have been a straightforward process, it certainly has not been the case, but I am delighted that we now have the opportunity to share with you the guidelines for the safe return of golf across Scotland.

"There are aspects of the document that refer to direct government advice e.g travel restrictions, physical distancing, risk groups and any changes to those policies will be for clubs and individual golfers to ensure they are adhering to. 

"I must stress that these guidelines are shared with the assumption that there is no change made in the government’s stated position on easing of restrictions. 

"It should be noted that a final decision will be made by the First Minister on 28 May and if any changes to the current procedures are required to align with updates provided by Scottish Government then these will be shared with you as soon as they are known to ensure re-opening plans can be updated or adjusted accordingly."

Courses in Scotland have been closed since the lockdown restrictions were introduced on 23 March. But they have now been given the green light to fall in line with venues elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.

"Based on the above, if they choose to do so, clubs may now prepare their course and their membership for play to commence on 29 May," added Sharp, who took over the reins of the governing body last month following chief executive Andrew McKinlay's sudden departure. 

"I hope that in giving a week’s notice, this will give clubs time to finalise any local rules and activate their tee sheets. I have looked to give direction but not prescription, as I know that all clubs will want to do what is best for their members within the framework of the facilities or operational capacity that each club will have. 

"The Scottish Golf guidance has been prepared through our collaboration with the wider golf industry but has been reviewed by appropriate Scottish Government channels to give you a flexible but consistent framework with which to prepare your own club protocols."

Courses in England reopened last Wednesday while venues in Wales and on both sides of the border in Ireland resumed business this week.

"We have heard very encouraging stories from south of the border where some clubs have seen an immediate uplift in membership, as many courses have not been open to visitors given ongoing travel restrictions applying to exercise," said Sharp. 

"Clubs have a great opportunity to show value in being a member of a club, and all the preferential benefits this can bring. I am sure that the demand for tee-times will be high and I look forward to seeing and hearing of golf courses all over Scotland full of people enjoying the sport once again.

"I would like to thank all golfers who have shown great restrain over the last eight or nine weeks in conforming with the requests of the Scottish Government.

"The team here at Scottish Golf are firm in our belief that golf is a healthy sport that can be played giving due consideration to social distancing, whilst contributing to the improved health and mental wellbeing of many people across the country and we will continue to prioritise supporting clubs and the development of the game in Scotland."

SCOTTISH GOLF REPORT