Harrogate Golf Club reopens today for first time since lockdown

Established in 1892 and still well respected throughout the country having hosted national championships, members of Harrogate Golf Club can once again play on the course at Forest Lane Head from today, Wednesday.

But Harrogate Golf Club's board of directors has issued a detailed and firm set of guideline to its members with the advice to "Play safe, Stay safe."

A statement on Harrogate Golf Club's website says: "As you will be aware, the Prime Minister announced changes to the lockdown restrictions yesterday evening, and we are pleased to announce that although the clubhouse will remain closed for the foreseeable future, the golf course will be open for play from Wednesday 13 May at 7.00am.

"We recognise that the above arrangements are some way short of those which members and players are used to, but until the risk of infection recedes and government restrictions are eased further, we believe that by following the guidelines players will have the best opportunity to safely enjoy as much golf as possible.

"The plan will be kept under review and revised to meet changing circumstances and guidelines.

"To comply with the new government restrictions, members must play on their own or in groups of two.

"The board has assembled a plan as set out below, which identifies the measures to be adopted by the Club in re-starting golf.

"These measures are compliant with government guidelines and have been informed by guidance published by the R&A, England Golf and others."

Harrogate war heroes' emotional day of memories for VE Day

The Harrogate Golf Club statement continues:

"The course set up will be very similar to that which was in place immediately before lockdown.

"Benches, bins, bunker rakes and ball-washers will be removed or taken out of use and hole cups will be inverted to allow balls to be removed without touching the liner.

"Hand sanitiser dispensers will be positioned at the first tee, 9th green, 18th green and in the on-course toilets.

"All players must pre-book a tee time using BRS.

"When playing a round of golf, players are asked to observe the following Covid-19 Code of Conduct:

• Members clubs, trolleys and equipment should be kept at home and brought to the Club in your car. Recognising that this might be a problem for some members, use of lockers and the trolley shed for storage will be allowed in exceptional circumstances but only by arrangement with the office.

• On arrival, park leaving a clear space between cars if possible.

• Come to the Club dressed for golf. The locker rooms will not be available for changing, so please change your shoes in the car park.

• Please arrive only 10-20 minutes before your tee time. If you need to warm up with a few shots or practice putts, this will be possible but please observe the limitations below.

• Access to the course from the car park will be via the path adjacent to the clubhouse. Please follow the directional signs.

• Toilets will be open, but accessed via designated one-way routes which will be sign-posted, and subject to strict social distancing.

• Wait on the practice green or lawn and keep away from the first tee until the group ahead of you has teed off.

• At the first tee, announce your presence to the Professionals who will check your booking on BRS and remind you of the social distance requirements and the temporary local rules.

• On the course, only touch your own ball. Do not pick up stray golf balls.

• Do not touch the flagsticks.

• Do your best to smooth bunkers without using a rake.

• Look after your own litter and take it home with you.

• On completion of the round, exit the course by the designated route (if leaving from the 18th green this is the path adjacent to the compressor). Please do not wait around in the car park or on the veranda - leave the premises as soon as possible and stay safe.

"Use of the upper practice ground will be limited to a short warm-up before play, and the bottom practice ground will be open for general practice.

"Players using any practice facilities must use and retrieve their own balls.

"The chipping area and practice green will be available, but pins will be removed and social distance must be maintained.

"Occupancy will be limited to two players on each of the practice grounds, two players on the chipping area and four on the practice putting green.

"The practice net will be out of use.

"The Professionals’ shop will be open but subject to a limit of one customer at a time. "Changes to the Professionals’ normal services will be communicated separately."

What is behind turmoil at Harrogate BID and why resignations happened

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.