ELSHAM GOLF CLUB AWAITING THE GREEN LIGHT

Twelve months ago Elsham Golf Club was hosting the most prestigious event ever held at the course, the England Seniors Amateur Championship. Who would have believed that twelve months on the course would be in lockdown-and for reasons beyond its own control? (writes Peter Thompson).
Golfers up and down the land are asking the same question: When can we get back on the course?
Nowhere is this more true than at Elsham where the course has been closed since March in line with the directive from England Golf. Few believed that the lockdown would end when the first three weeks were up last Thursday, but ‘hope springs eternal’ that next month might just see the gates open again, be it in very different circumstances.
With confidence that the peck of the pandemic in the UK may have passed and that the next three weekly review gives a glimmer of hope that golf can resume, a statement by the club’s management committee under Chairman Robert Taylor has made clearer what future might lie ahead: “The board is optimistic that that we can look forward to a gradual lifting of restrictions over the ensuing weeks. We anticipate that initially the course will be brought back into play for social golf but subject to restrictions designed to help social distancing. The opening of the clubhouse is likely though to be delayed for sometime yet.”
Board member Polly Brettle said: “The green staff, though substantially reduced as some of them are furloughed, are keeping the course in fantastic condition. The course will be beautiful when the golfers return.
Due to the commitment and the dedication of all the staff, Elsham will still be a great course when the lockdown is over. No-one knows when we will be driving down the fairways and putting on the greens, but we all await the instructions from England Golf.
No date can be set but the club will expect a staged return.  A new campaign "Play Safe, Be Safe" is being prepared by England Golf to address all aspects of opening up golf courses and clubs.
“The members of Elsham Golf Club have faithfully supported the club. It won’t be business as usual, but members can rest assured due to their loyalty it will be 'Members First' at Elsham Golf Club. And we love the NHS.”
As a result of members support to date and during the golfing year hopefully still to come, Elsham Golf Club will survive the current crisis and continue to move upwards and onwards in future years.
All that is needed now is for Green Keeper Colin Hopper to be given the ‘green light.’