Scottish golfers are a patient lot and with the overwhelming majority of Home of Golf nation golfers ignoring any petition calling for a return to golf.
This is clearly evident after Ratho Park member Simon Norris initiated an ‘Allow Scottish people to play golf again, now’ petition calling on government to lift the near seven-week ban on playing golf.
Of the some 190,000 registered golfers among the 550 or so Scottish Golf sanctioned clubs only 470 (as at noon SaturdayUK time) had signed the petition.
That’s less than 0.25% of all Scottish golfers.
Spectacular sight at Crail Golfing Society
Norris, who kick-started the petition on Tuesday, says he’s ‘frustrated at the speed of the government allowing golfers back onto their courses during this lockdown period’.
Of course, everyone who plays golf is frustrated but they’re also staying very patient and adhering their best to #StaySafeStayHome guidelines.
Norris directed the petition at the Scottish Government, Scottish Minister for Public Health, Joe FitzPatrick MSP, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Golf, Active Scotland, Sport Scotland and all 550-plus Socttish Golf clubs.
The petition says: “Because of the Coronavirus lockdown in Scotland, we are limited in the amount and type of exercise we are able to do. And currently we are not able to play golf.
“I am aware that the Scottish Government are considering ‘small incremental steps initially in terms of easing the measures’ as part of their COVID exit policy.
“I would like to recommend that we consider allowing people to play golf again, now.”
Norris is seemingly on his lonesome in calling for a return to golf with the Rathlo Park club making no mention of the petition on either the club’s website or Twitter page.
Across the Irish Sea and the Irish Government announced Friday it is allowing a return to playing golf from Monday, 18th May but under strict guidelines that will include:-
* Members living within 5 miles of the golf club only teeing-up
* Single players and/or two-balls only
* No formal competitions
* No exchange of scorecards
* No rakes in bunkers
* Flagsticks remain in place with raised cups and/or plastic devices in hole.
Expect the same in the UK.
And it would seem highly likely the UK Government will follow their Irish counterpart in also declaring Monday, 18th May as the return to the fairways in the UK and Northern Ireland.
