Wow, what a busy week for golf in England. Firstly can I take this opportunity to thank everyone for being so understanding with the current procedures before, during and after playing your round. I took it upon myself (and Katie) to be the marshall for the first week as it gave me an opportunity to meet every member, and it almost was EVERY member as over 440 individuals have played in the first week, which is 90% of our playing membership! It was thankfully dry but very cold at times with the northerly wind, it was heart-warming at times with all the thanks and joy at getting out and it was a bit scary at times when people weren't used to social distancing and not touching anything. It was surprising how many people were quite blase about the whole situation, I've heard a few horror stories during the week and this thing is definitely real and definitely not just the flu. Having said that, it's great to see that the measures in place are creating such a safe environment that many people who would have been 'shielding' have been up to play. Almost without exception, the view on having tee times has been welcomed with the vast majority of golfers hoping that it continues. Once the Government permit us to meet more than 1 other person outside the household, golf will be able to play in 3 or 4 balls and that will create a lot more spaces on the tee sheet. Apart from the fact we can't use the bar, golf will be a sport that has then got back to 'normal' and many golf clubs are reporting an upsurge in memberships, particularly as most places are 'members only' for tee bookings at present. We have received 7 new members this week and are having daily enquiries. I'm booking up for lessons from this coming Monday, if you'd like some help with your game or just a refresher, let me know. Club fittings will be a little later, depending on the next relaxation of the restrictions, hopefully, the 1st week of June. Let me know in advance if there's anything you're interested in and I'll make sure we have it ready.
Golf is back Golf made returned to our TV screens on Sunday evening as Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson took on Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff at the TaylorMade Driving Relief in Florida, raising over $4 million for charities helping with relief efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Understandably, the quality of golf wasn’t at its highest but it made for fascinating viewing. Players wearing microphones and carrying their bags, no spectators lining the fairways, and a golf course in pristine condition. The players competed in a skins match, with extra money raised for birdies, eagles as well as a couple of long drive challenges – Wolff launched massive drives of 356 and 368 yards to take the honours here. With the final six skins rolling over with each hole halved, a 120-yard nearest-the-pin shootout was needed to decide the overall winners. The result? Rory showing why he’s the world number one by knocking a wedge to within 12-feet to secure victory for him and DJ. It was great to see some live golf back on TV and for such a tremendous cause. If you watched it, we’d love to know what you thought. Did you enjoy hearing what the players were saying to each other? Would you like to see more events like this? Do you think golf missed an opportunity to showcase gender equality? Let us know here.
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