Competitions likely to start in July

Both clubs have been liaising with the Sports Commission’s relationship manager Steve Sharman throughout the coronavirus lockdown as to when and how they could return to action.

Social two-balls were able to recommence on 4 May and, in line with phase four of the Exit from Lockdown guidelines, four-balls returns to the links yesterday.

The clubs also have the green light to take the next step.

‘It is our intention to start competitions from July,’ said L’Ancresse Golf Club captain Alan Mahy yesterday, when LGC’s clubhouse opened for the first time since lockdown.

‘What those competitions will be has yet to be decided.

‘As I’ve said previously, it would be my hope that we can get the L’Ancresse Open played this year – maybe not the team event, though – but a lot will depend on when we can do presentations. We will have to wait for guidance on that.

‘Everything is moving quickly so we cannot plan too far ahead, but from what we have heard in the last couple of weeks, everyone wants competitive golf again.

‘The executive committees of both clubs have spoken regularly during lockdown to make sure there’s a continuity for golf at L’Ancresse and I believe the Royal Guernsey GC are looking to start competitions from the start of July.’

Inter-insular matches have been called off this year and clubs have cancelled inter-club matches, while the L’Ancresse GC will not hold their match-play tournaments either.

However, Mahy added that there may be the scope to extend their competitive season into October to give members the chance to play other formats of competition.

As for the reopening of the clubhouse, the captain happily admitted that it had come sooner than he had expected only a couple of weeks ago.

‘We have kept strictly to the guidelines during every step of lockdown and in the clubhouse we are doing the correct social distancing, with people directed to a table and the necessary details taken from everyone coming in,’ Mahy said.

‘It is very important to be open again, as much for the membership to get back together as anything.

‘There has been a loss of income like any other business, but thanks to the lead of Gavin St Pier, Heidi Soulsby and Dr Nicola Brink and the way the Guernsey community has behaved in these times, it has allowed us to be in this position to open again earlier than we had thought.’