Top amateur frustrated by rules blocking him from two clubs
A Midlothian-based golfer has hit out at the Scottish Government’s latest Covid-19 restrictions after finding himself blocked from playing in two neighbouring local authority areas.
Scott Walker, who lives in Pe ni cuik,i sam ember and former club champion of both West Linton and Gullane, but he is unable to play at either due to them being in the Borders and East Lothian.
The former Lothians Champion of Champions winner has found himself in a golfing no man’s land after a late decision by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to keep Midlothian as a Level 3 area rather than allowing it to join East Lothian in moving to Level 2, which the Borders already had been.
On the back of that, some East Lothian clubs, including Gullane, immediately contacted Midlothian members to inform them that they would be joining Edinburgh members in being prevented from booking tee times.
Golfers across Scotland are
being encouraged to keep travel to a minimum, but Walker believes the new restrictions are unnecessary.
“As a keen golf er, I am a member of two golf clubs– West Lin ton and Gull a ne– and they are 10 minutes and 30 minutes away from my home by car respectively,” he said.
“At the moment, based on the nonsensical guidance provided and following the request of both clubs, I cannot play golf at either of these as one sits in the edge of the Borders and the other in East Lothian
“I’ ve been working from home for several months and I am doing nothing else which puts me at any real risk. I always travel in my own vehicle and always in isolation.
“I have seen zero evidence of any C ovid-related issues caused by people playing golf. Since lockdown was eased, I have been playing with my group of friends, and for the team at Gull a ne for a few months again now, with no issues whatsoever.
“All of a sudden, due to some crazy new rules, I am no longer able to do the one thing that gets me out the house to provide me with the basic physical and mental release I need. The Scottish Government is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut and beginning to infringe on basic human rights and personal freedoms.”