Hole Lot Of Bother
In a world of coronavirus lockdown, it’s hard to remember any kind of normal.
Back when we worshipped at the altar of Somerset Park.
Roared on the Ayrshire Bulls at Millbrae.
Placed our bets on the equine kings and queens at Ayr Racecourse.
Or swung a club in anger at one of the county’s great golf courses.
Oh to have such a life again.
Talk, of course, has turned to such hobbies this week with the idea that lockdown may be fraying.
From Westminster, Boris Johnson wants us to stay alert.
At Holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon still wants us indoors.
All of which leaves us a tad confused. Up here, the shackles have now been taken off daily exercise at least. Unlimited amounts they say. And that has led to pretty pertinent questions being asked in the golfing world this week.
If there’s one sport in the world where social distancing is possible, golf is your game.
Sure, certain hygiene measures must apply once you reach the green.
But are we not at the point now where some common sense needs applied?
Nobody is denying the gravity of the situation we face in this crisis.
And come the reckoning, there will be plenty questions asked about what decisions were taken and when.
But surely, despite the dire scenario, there isn’t some middle ground to be found here?
That’s why the VoR can absolutely share the sense of frustration felt by golfing chiefs like Alasdair Malcolm this week.
There comes a point where social distancing has to be allowed in certain arenas – for our mental health if nothing else.
But right now, we’re at very real risk of scaring ourselves into a position where it’s very hard to come back from.
I’m quite sure a scientist somewhere will argue the toss with me on this.
But if walking down a golf fairway ten yards apart from your mate remains out of bounds, the future is very bleak indeed.
And to think people are still actively squabbling about bringing back football?
We’re at a crossroads in life alright my friends. A real time in history.
Decisions that are being made are not easy. And they sure a heck all have implications.
Let’s just hope the calls being made are the right ones.