Golfers back on course as sport returns after seven week absence due to coronavirus pandemic

Longridge Golf Club professional Steve Taylor jokingly  described a scene of  chaos on Wednesday as golfers returned to the course after an absence of nearly two months.
Golf has returned after an absence of nearly two monthsGolf has returned after an absence of nearly two months
Golf has returned after an absence of nearly two months

Golf – like every other sport – has been in cold storage since the Government ordered the country into lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But following prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on Sunday, some restrictions have been eased, including the reopening of golf courses across Preston and the surrounding areas.

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Of course the sport can only play under strict conditions with players having to adhere to social distancing and only able to play as part of a two-ball.

But after seeing the course at Longridge resemble a ghost town in recent weeks, Taylor was thrilled to see golfers teeing off once again on Wednesday.

He said: “The first pair teed off at six o’clock in the morning and they were teeing off all the way through six o’clock in the evening.

“As soon as the Government released the news that clubs could reopen, the membership couldn’t wait to get out there.

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“Obviously we have all the social distancing measures in place.

“We did all the zonal markings and stuff.

“So we had two on the tee, two in a waiting area and two waiting on the putting green.

“We policed that all day and everybody stuck to it, everybody enjoyed it.

“The big difference from before is obviously the membership cannot go into the clubhouse afterwards.

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“We only had the toilets opened – everything else was sectioned off.

“The feedback we have had back was good because they haven’t been out to play for seven weeks.

“The weather was glorious too and it just feels like we have got a little bit of our life back.”

With no coaching classes to take, Taylor has spent the last couple of months living on site helping out on the course.

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“I am self-employed but there’s been no teaching, no club shop, no golf so it’s been a bit of a bad time.

“I have been helping the green staff.

“I am hoping to start coaching again on Monday, but I have to check all the rules and regulations.”

Taylor also paid tribute to the club’s membership who have all remained supportive of the club’s plight as it navigates its way through this tricky time financially.

“The membership have been absolutely brilliant to be fair,” said Taylor.

“They have all paid their membership fees despite not being able to play.

“In fact we have had some anonymous donations, but it’s that kind of club – it’s just a mega friendly club.”