School may be out... but Macaulay drives on
people trying to do their bit for junior golf.”
Of course, the wild spread of the coronavirus continues to put a spanner in all manner of works. “Obviously now, I can’t go into the schools,” said Macaulay, the wife of former European Tour player Callum.
“This couldn’t have arrived at a worse time. But we just need to get on with it. It’s a shame as there was some real momentum building with the school programme.”
Her momentum may have been halted by this perilous pandemic but Macaulay’s eagerness remains undiminished. “There is huge potential to get golf into schools,” she added. “All the teachers seem very keen. It’s a bit different to other standard sports.
“I do ask the kids if they’ve ever touched a club and a lot haven’t. I’ll also ask them,
‘be honest, did you think golf was boring?’. But they love it and say it’s better than they thought.
“It’s aimed at primary five, six and seven and a few kids have been involved in the five week course at school and have gone on to do coaching at their local clubs.
“Ralston Golf Club, for example, started some junior coaching and six of them from the school programme went along which was encouraging. They were keen to keep going.
“A lot of the time with golf, kids have parents or grandparents who are into it but going into schools gives everybody a chance. It opens it up to all.”
DILLIAN Whyte has undertaken a 40-hour drive to Portugal for a training camp ahead of his heavyweight clash with Alexander Povetkin - a bout which could yet be postponed.
The Briton is slated to fight Russia’s Povetkin on May 2 in Manchester but the contest is in serious doubt due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Whyte’s promoter Eddie Hearn said in an Instagram Live video yesterday that a decision on the fight will be made this week. The video also featured Hearn having a chat with Whyte, and the 31-year-old fighter said: “I’m in Portugal, [on a] training camp. I had to drive 40 hours non-stop from my house straight to here. I drove because I brought the dogs with me, so I didn’t want to fly.”
Whyte added: “The mindset is my date is not cancelled, my date is still going ahead, so I’m training.
“I’m a professional, I’m trying to be professional and keep training, and trying to stay positive.”