Dunblane New fighting back after lockdown
Dunblane New Golf Club is busier than ever just weeks after planning how it could keep the lights on after having to close during the Covid-19 pandemic.
When Scotland went into lockdown in March, the club, like businesses across the country, was forced to close without knowing when it would be able to open its doors again.
As the economic reality of the pandemic hit there were concerns that membership income would dry up, and with the club still having to pay various overheads, the risk of there not being a club to reopen when restrictions eased was real.
However kind-hearted members continued to pay their fees despite not having a course to play on for nearly three months. And with additional help from a Scottish Government small business grant, the club was able to open again on May 23 whilst still adhering to government guidelines.
The staff at the club’s hard work and patience has now been rewarded as demand for tee times and memberships has never been greater with golfers eager to hit the fairways as lockdown eases.
Club manager Christopher Spencer said: “The big concern for clubs when we were closed was with so many members paying by direct debit, would they still want or be able to do that while they couldn’t play? We’re very grateful that members have been able to continue paying their direct debits, as a result the club is still here to reopen. When things get back to normal we’re looking at ways to reward that loyalty from members.
“We also had to work hard while we were closed to make sure the club survived. We’ve had help from the furlough scheme and we were able to access £25,000 through the Scottish Government’s small business grant scheme. That has made a significant impact and a combination of those factors has meant the club is still here and was ready to reopen when it was safe to do so.
“I was out on the first tee the first day we were back and the atmosphere was fantastic, people were so grateful to be back.
“The demand has been unbelievable from members wanting to get back out on the course and see friends they hadn’t seen for a while.”
With several members working
Winner of the Second Class, playing on Friday, was Steven Rennie (11) on 63 with 10 pars with birdies at 7 and 18. Runner up was Alastair MacRae (5) on 66. Seven players then returned 67 but third place went to Rocco Purves (6) with BIH than Malcolm Scott (5) who was fourth with BIH than the other five players.
Gregg Kennedy (13) continued recent good form to win the Second Class on 67. Three players then returned 68 but runner up was James McIntosh (15) with BL6 than Antony Pilkington (15) but had BIH than Jeff Bryan (16).
After just missing out on Wednesday, Tommy Regan (24) won Third Class on 66 and BIH than Clinton Main (26) who had BL6 than Paul Lewis (18). Fourth spot went to Charles Hislop (17) on 67. Keith MacDonald had a hole in one at the 11th .
The top eight scratch scores on 79 and BIH qualified for the matchplay stages of the Senior Scratch Championship. The best 16 net scores of 72 and BL6 proceed to the matchplay stages of the Senior Handicap Championship.
There was a record entry for the Midweek Medal on Wednesday of 166. Best scratch score was a one under par 68 from Gavin Denham with 11 pars, birdies at 3, 6 and 7 and finishing off with an eagle 3 at 18.
In the First Class the winner was Ken Wilkie (4) on 66 and BL6, including birdies at 12 and 14, than Kenny Gibson (10). Four players then returned 67 but third place went to Euan Douglas (8) with BIH than Grant McIntyre (3) who had BIH than Blair Paterson (3) and BIH than Stephen Murray (5).
Ian Campbell (12) won the Second Class on 64 in a steady round spoiled by a triple bogey at 9. Runner up was Finlay Mason (16) on 67. Four players then for the NHS and care industry in various roles, the club were keen to give something back and made sure those members were able to fit golf in to their working week.
Chris said: “We made tee times available for them during the week so they didn’t have to scramble for a tee time. It was important for the club to be able to offer whatever we could to help members who are working to keep us all safe.”
Karin Sharp, Scottish Golf Chief Operating Officer, said: “It has been without a doubt a trying time for people over the last few months in lockdown. But we are delighted to see with the extension to exercise in Scotland that local golf clubs such as Dunblane New are seeing a surge in new members.
“In recent weeks, we have seen so many positive stories from across the game of golf in Scotland. We would encourage everyone in our golfing community to continue playing their part to position the great game of golf in a positive light. By adhering to the latest government guidance, where public health remains the priority, it will ensure that we can continue to take advantage of the benefits golf has to offer.” returned 70 but third place went to Neil Aitken (16) with BIH than Tristan Lamont (12) who had BIH than William Don (16) who had BIH than James McIntosh (15) who fell away are a good outward nine.
Third Class was won by Ian Docherty (18) on 67. Runner up was Past Captain Tommy Regan (24) on 68 and BL6 than Joe Higgins (18). Andreas Lonberg (20) was fourth on 69.
The 16 players with 69 and BIH qualified for the matchplay stages of the Arnold McCulloch Trophy.
There is a Gents Yellow Tee Medal today (Wednesday) and Friday and Saturday will be the Infirmary Trophy and the first round of the Old Club Trophy where after the second round, the best eight scratch ccores proceed to matchplay.
Summer Meeting and Senior Championship Qualifier: Scratch - Gavin Denham 69. First Class - 1 Steven Rennie 74 (11) 63; 2 Alastair Macrae 71 (5) 66; 3 Rocco Purves 73 (6) 67 bih; 4 Malcolm Scott 72 (5) 67 bih.
Second Class - 1 Gregg Kennedy 80 (13) 67; 2 James McIntosh 83 (15) 68 bl6; 3 Antony Pilkington 83 (15) 68 bih; 4 Jeff Bryan 84 (16) 68. Third Class - 1 MT Regan 90 (24) 66 bih; 2 Clinton Main 92 (26) 66 bl6; 3 Paul Lewis 84 (18) 66; 4 Charles Hislop 84 (17) 67.
Monthly Midweek Medal and Arnold McCulloch Qualifier: Scratch - Gavin Denham 68. First Class - 1 Ken Wilkie 70 (4) 66 bl6; 2 Kenny Gibson 76 (10) 66; 3 Euan Douglas 75 (8) 67 bih; 4 Grant McIntyre 70 (3) 67 bih.
Second Class - 1 Ian Campbell 76 (12) 64; 2 Finlay Mason 83 (16) 67; 3 Neil Aitken 86 (16) 70 bih; 4 Tristan Lamont 82 (12) 70 bih. Third Class - 1 Ian Docherty 85 (18) 67; 2 MT Regan 92 (24) 68 bl6; 3 Joe Higgins 86 (18) 68; 4 Andreas Lonberg 89 (20) 69.