Golfers made a glorious return to the course yesterday after more than two months away.
Tee times across the north of Scotland were booked up well in advance after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced lockdown restrictions would begin to ease, with some booking sites even crashing due to demand throughout the week.
Yesterday, pros at clubs across Inverness, Elgin and Aberdeen praised members for following the rules and said their return made it feel like a “competition day”.
Among those on the fairway at Inverness Golf Club were John and Barbra Love.
Mrs Love said: “We have been walking loads but this kind of kind is what we have been looking forward to.
“It has certainly been the one thing John has missed the most – other than our daughter.”
Mr Love added he hoped people would be “sensible” and keep their distance to allow the relaxing of the rules to continue. He added: “We have very much been looking forward to this and it is good to get out in the fresh air and get a bit of exercise and vitamin D.”
Mike Mackenzie was also at the Culcabock Road golf club to get his swing in, and said:
“It’s fantastic. It has been a long wait but it is one of these things, it had to happen.
“It’s great to be able to see other people and it is just nice to interact, obviously we can’t be close, but it is good to be able to see people around the course that we haven’t seen in a long time.”
His partner for the day, Billy ‘Wizzie’ Dingwall has been a member of the club for 45 years and said he was “delighted” to be back out.
At Hazlehead Golf Club in Aberdeen, players were also thrilled to be heading out into the sun for a round.
Ian Cowling, 62, said he had been “desperate” to get back out – and even has another game booked for today.
He said: “I was desperate to get back on the course and it’s been kept in such good condition.
“It was perfect, some of the shots were good, some bad and some awful.
“It was good just catching up.”
Scott Bain, 40, who was playing alongside Nick Ross, said: “It’s amazing to get back on the course.
“It’s seeing your mates and getting a bit of exercise – it’s the only form of exercise I get.”
Meanwhile, club pros praised members for following the rules and ensuring a “smooth” first day back on the fairway.
Gary Forbes, head professional at Murcar Links, said: “It’s superb to see the smiling faces, and everyone has been so well natured after being allowed to come back again.
“We are so used to being a hub in the area throughout the summer, and to have that taken away has been very strange.
“It’s just wonderful to have the car park busy again. It’s like a competition day.”
David Grindell, assistant professional at Inverness, is hopeful the sport can make a resurgent recovery following its shutdown.
“It might actually be a good thing for golf as there are a lot of other sports people are not able to play,” he said. “Hopefully this can be a bit of a boom for golf.
“The weather has certainly helped and the next few days are meant to be the same so we couldn’t really ask for much better.”
Michael McAllan, professional at Elgin golf club, said: “I think the sunshine has been really apt, it’s a sign for people to be welcomed back with open arms.
“I wear my heart on my sleeve so I’ve actually got a bit emotional at times – it has been strange, concerning and uncertain, but it has brought the best out of a lot of people. I’m delighted to see everybody.”
Rona Smith, captain at Abernethy, added: “I think the golf course is a great place to be. It’s easy to socially distance, and you are out in the fresh air. After being in lockdown this is what people need.”
