Competitive pitch & putt returns

Jason O’Connor

AFTER our clubs were permitted to resume casual play for members on Monday, May 18, and those from further afield were permitted to play from June 8, we are delighted now that some competitive forms of play are permitted from last Monday.

The lockdown was probably a ‘blessing in disguise’ for grounds committees in getting courses into peak condition although maybe a little rain would have been welcome as the grass started to turn brown. It is encouraging to hear of new members signing up across clubs as well and seeing a few faces of yesteryear return!

Full and official advice on how to proceed in Phase 3 is detailed on the Pitch & Putt Ireland website currently. Please note during competition that for clubs opting to leave the flagstick in that if the ball is at rest against the pin with the new apparatuses attached to lift the ball out of the cup that the flagstick must still be moved (with a putter) to allow the whole ball drop down below the circumference and be deemed holed.

The County Board is currently considering a proposal from the NEC to run the County Strokeplays across the country before the end of July.

The Board will be meeting in person during the middle of the month to discuss everything in further detail but we do expect not only the County Strokeplay, but also the County Matchplay to take place this year once public health guidelines allow.