‘Golf in a healthy state after Covid’
ENGLAND Golf has reported that interest in the sport is soaring with increasing memberships at clubs across the country – and this is reflected in the latest statistics from the Leicestershire and Rutland county golf union, writes Jennifer Prentice.
David Dalby (Birstall), the county director of finance, reports golf is in a very strong position locally, despite the stresses and strains inflicted by Covid lockdowns over the last two years.
Indeed, the sport has emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever before and it is hoped this will continue.
In a report to the county golf union, Mr Dalby revealed the first year of the pandemic saw much of the county’s activities curtailed, which resulted in a dramatic reduction in expenditure, and they made two awards to county clubs to try to help them out at a difficult time.
The county gave a total of £51,000 to clubs across Leicestershire and Rutland – £25,000 in the initial grant, and £26,000 in the second a few months later – assistance which was greatly appreciated at a time when clubs’ cashflow was low.
Mr Dalby said the third lockdown in early 2021 again resulted in reduced expenditure – the county dinner was cancelled along with some of the early season friendly
matches for the first, second and seniors teams.
Some training sessions for the firsts and seconds were also cancelled.
But he reveals as soon as the season re-started – and in spite of the pandemic – it was evident the hunger for golf was stronger than ever, with county competitions well subscribed, lots of team matches played and club membership up.
Mr Dalby said: “The first evidence
of change was seen in
2020, immediately after the first lockdown.
“There was a resurgence of interest in golf as being a healthy sport, enjoyed outside and not too susceptible to Covid restrictions.
“This led to an increased membership of golf clubs which halted the year-on-year decline across our counties – and others.
“However, the true extent of this trend was seen in 2021 with an increase of 1,585 golf club members across the county, a rise of 15.30 per cent.
“The current number of golf club members in the county is 11,935 according to the latest returns – the highest since 2011.
“This remarkable boost for county clubs also resulted in additional income for the county union of almost £13,500 in affiliated fees, which was good news indeed.
“Now many clubs have got full membership, some have closed their books to new members and others have waiting lists. There has also been a reintroduction of joining fees at some clubs.
“This is a very healthy situation and the challenge for clubs now is to support and retain their new members.”
Mr Dalby said there were a number of positive issues that will hopefully maintain the strong situation and help the sport develop further.
These are the continuation of the upturn in membership numbers across the county, corresponding increases in the number of competitors taking part in county tournaments, an increase in junior golf club members arising from initiatives being undertaken by the county union this year, and income from the England Golf Independent Golfer initiative being paid to the county.
But, on the negative side, Mr Dalby pointed out the county union has lost seven golf clubs in the last seven years, the Covid crisis might still force the closure of more clubs, and there had been a reduction in sponsorship and England Golf junior funding grants.
Among the clubs to close were Park Hill in Seagrave, now the training base for Leicester City.