Golfers remain hopeful of later season opening
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Following the recent statement from Scottish Golf whereby they have taken the decision to cancel all events and performance programmes for the remainder of the 2020 season, currently the only sanctioned activity at north east golf courses is an essential maintenance programme.
This is continuing to take place with strict social distancing rules and guidelines in place.
It's a tough time financially for all local clubs, as Sandy Aird, Golf Pro at McDonald Golf Club in Ellon highlighted: “The shop has been closed for over a month now which has made it a very worrying time financially.
“This is normally our busiest time of the year with the season starting and golfers wanting to improve their games by getting lessons or buying new equipment.
“I’ve been keeping in contact with members via social media and with a weekly newsletter.
“The members have been great with many buying vouchers for future lessons and also topping up their shop account for when they get back to playing.”
Clubs across the area are continuing to keep in contact with their members by social media.
Inverurie Golf Club are hosting an online quiz by email every Friday from 7pm to 8.30pm and are puzzles and challenges to keep members entertained.
As Meldrum House and Golf Course Easter events could not go ahead, they are hosting a Q&A with different staff members each week while at Turriff Golf Club, the greenkeepers continue to prepare the course for members returning.
Local clubs are also encouraging their members to use an ELearning platform where golfers can get access to self-learning tools and skills to manage various aspects of the club.
In a statement on the decision to cancel all Golfing events in Scotlandchairwoman of Scottish Golf, Eleanor Cannon said: “I recognise that, for each of our affiliated clubs, our committees, employees and members, it is a time of uncertainty and stress.
“Tough decisions are being taken by your management teams so that your clubs can re-open their doors in as strong a position as is possible.
“Clubs need their members more than ever to support them financially so that they can survive the lockdown in an already tough market, and so that we each have our club to come back to.
“Scottish Golf, like its member clubs, is having to make some tough decisions in light of a significant delay in our member income, so that we can continue to support our clubs as we come through these difficult times.
“To this end we have furloughed the majority of our employees and made the necessary decisions as regards our season’s calendar of events.”
Sandy Aird added: “Despite the worry about my business I am well aware there is a bigger picture here.
“There are many people that are vulnerable to this virus and if their safety means that we all have to stay home for a while then so be it."
