By Isle of Wight Observer
Golfers across the Island will be swinging back into action tomorrow, following the easing of restrictions due to coronavirus.
But Golf England and the Government have emphasised that all players must adhere to the strict rules they have laid down for play to resume. Even so it seems the majority of golf club members can’t wait to to get back out on their respective Island course.
Sarah Hammond, secretary at Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club, said: “Our course will be open from 8am tomorrow morning but it will be strictly members only with tee-times booked in advance. And only two-ball games (two players at a time teeing off) will be allowed, and there will be no competitions for the time being, only casual golf.”
Sarah added that demand to get back on the course had been so high that tee-times had been fully booked by members for the whole of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, so if you have not booked, please do not turn up.
Freshwater Golf Club will also be open for members to play two-ball casual golf, provided a tee-time has been booked in advance. A spokesperson for the club said: “We have been told by Golf England we are allowed to open tomorrow but with certain restrictions. The course will be re-opening for members only, but the clubhouse will remain closed, and I don’t think there will be any competitive golf played for quite some time.”
Ryde Golf Club opened their tee-time booking slots at midday today, for play tomorrow, but demand from members was so high that within 20 minutes the system had crashed. Their spokesperson said: “We are open for fully paid members only, and just two-ball games. I think our booking system was taken by surprise at the demand because it soon crashed.”
Other golf clubs on the Island were contacted by the IW Observer, but there was no response.
