GOLF CLUB BOSSES ‘SORRY’ OVER DATE ‘MIX-UP’
GOLF chiefs have apologised after a social media mix-up led to players flouting lockdown rules.
Bosses at Dougalston Golf Club, in Milngavie, say a post telling golfers the course was open for business yesterday was sent in error.
The message was later removed but not before golfers had taken to the fairways one day before new Scottish Government rules allowed non-contact sport to take place.
An eye-witness told The Glasgow Times players were out on the course in the morning, despite non-essential travel and social gatherings still banned in the country in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Bosses for Nuffield Health, who run the course, say they immediately closed the club and cancelled all bookings yesterday as soon as they were made aware of the mistake.
A spokesperson for Nuffield Health said: “We are sorry and we take full responsibility for the genuine mistake with our promotional materials which has led to golfers playing at our Dougalston Golf Club, one day earlier than allowed.
“When we realised our mistake, we closed the golf club and cancelled all remaining bookings for the May 28. We apologise to our members and people in our local communities.
“We have corrected our promotional materials to ensure the opening date is May 29 and we look forward to welcoming people back to our golf club at this time.”
Meanwhile, greenkeepers across Glasgow put in the finishing touches yesterday as they prepared for golf’s return.
Cowglen Golf Course, in Pollock, was among those getting ready for a relaxation of lockdown rules, which come into force today.
Clubs have been closed since
Scotland went into lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus but they were finally given the greenlight by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to re-open as part of phase one in the government’s exit strategy.
As well as allowing people to meet one other household at a time outdoors, new rules give permission for sunbathing and sports such as fishing, golf, and tennis.
Garden centres will also re-open and construction sites can prepare to resume work.
In a statement, chiefs at amateur governing body Scottish Golf welcomed the move to reopen courses across the country.
A spokesperson said: “Scottish Golf welcomes the news that our golfing community will benefit from the Scottish Government’s revised guidance for exercise as we enter phase one in the easing of lockdown restrictions.
“Ahead of golf’s return, we have issued guidance developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, Active Scotland, sportscotland, Health Protection Scotland and key industry partners to support our clubs in preparing their facilities and we are pleased to confirm that the return of golf can now take place from Friday, May 29.
“We know that this confirmation will be well received by all of our members and will have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of golfers across Scotland in the days and weeks ahead.
“We hope everyone enjoys returning to the fairways and would encourage all golfers to familiarise themselves with the current guidance to ensure we can all return to playing the game safely.”
When we realised our mistake, we closed the golf club