Pair are playing the waiting game
Perthshire golfers planning for tournament action in South Africa next month have had to reshuffle their schedules.
Professionals Daniel Young and Bradley Neil were pencilled in for three Challenge Tour events to kick-start the year.
But, due to the COVID-19 situation, the competitions have now been pushed back to the end of April and beginning of May.
The decision was made for the “health and well-being of all players and staff ”.
The ‘South African Swing’ will now begin in the week of April 22-25, followed by the Cape Town Open at Royal Cape Golf Club from April 29 until May 2 and then the Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt Golf Estate from May 6-9.
Young, of Perth and a member of Craigie Hill Golf Club, understands and accepts why the events need to be postponed.
“I was definitely expecting these three events to be cancelled or pushed back,” he told the PA.
“It’s the best decision for us not to go there at this time. It’s difficult for the Challenge Tour to get things up and running.
“It’s difficult times for everyone.”
Thankfully for Young the Noah’s Ark Golf Centre in Perth has remained open in recent weeks. He is certainly one of their best customers.
He said: “I’ve been up at Noah’s Ark pretty much every day since lockdown. The boys up there will be sick of me.
“But there is nothing much else to do. I’m fortunate that the driving range has still been open because I don’t know what I’d be doing.
“I’ve never seen it so busy in the last wee while. There’s been a lot of people up dusting the cobwebs off the clubs and getting out.
“Niall McGill has done a great job over the years and the addition of the Trackman and simulator, it’s absolutely brilliant.
“They are good enough, if it’s free, to let me use them to help with my practice. I can still put in the work to get ready for whenever I need to be ready for.”
Recent weather conditions, especially a heavy frost, has allowed little chance to get out on the course here in Scotland.
Due to his professional status, Young is able to travel for warm-weather training and he is set to put in the hard work in Dubai later this month.
“I’m looking at three or four weeks to get preparation in for the season,” Young said.
“I don’t actually know the last time I was on a golf course over here. It’s certainly been a good couple of months.
“The facilities out there are brilliant and the weather is perfect. It’s a great opportunity to play and practice.
“Elite athletes need to train and be in an environment that can help improve them. For us to be able to get away, with everything going on, is a massive bonus.
“All the golfers I know are grateful and we’re in a privileged position to be able to do that.”
Blairgowrie pro Neil was also planning to head to Dubai to prepare for tournament action.
He said: “No gyms here are open, the courses aren’t great at the moment and the weather is freezing so it seems the smart choice. I’m very lucky that I can get away for a warm weather camp.”