Coronavirus: Closing council courses in Edinburgh is 'real kick in the teeth'

A decision to shut all the Edinburgh Leisure golf courses by close of play today has been described as a "real kick in the teeth" by clubs based at the venues.

Edinburgh Leisure's decision to shut its golf courses by close of play today will hit around 300 playing members at Silverknowes Golf Club.

The move, which is in line with the same decision being made at council-run courses in Lanarkshire, was announced yesterday afternoon.

It means there will be no golf allowed from tomorrow onwards at Carrick Knowe, Silverknowes, Craigentinny, Portobello and The Braids.

"It is really disappointing," said John Pow, captain of Carrickvale, which is based at Carrick Knowe, close to Murrayfield.

Carrickvale Golf Club members play on the Carrick Knowe course, close to Murrayfield

"We had a meeting on Tuesday night to discuss various scenarios, but the only one we didn't discuss was Edinburgh Leisure closing the course.

"We always assumed the course would stay open and this is a real kick in the teeth as we now have nothing to offer our members.

"Our subs are due and we are now left telling members that the course is closed despite golf being a healthy option and still safe if certain measures are taken.

"We will survive as most of our subscriptions have been paid, but it would have resulted in the closure of the club if this had happened in November.

Four golf clubs are based at The Braids - Harrison, Edinburgh Thistle, Edinburgh Western and Braids United. The course will soon be deserted apart from dog walkers

"We are hearing rumours that the greenkeeping staff will still be working and the flags are going to be left in, meaning people could probably go out and play. However, we wouldn't be able to run competitions.

"If the greens and fairways aren't maintained, the course would quickly become unplayable and, though it is bad enough at the moment, the dog walkers will soon take over.

"At the end of the day, a game of golf doesn't really matter too much at the moment, but, at the same time, this announcement is disappointing."

That view was echoed by Kala Renton, the vice captain at Silverknowes, which has around 300 playing members.

"It is hugely disappointing, especially with the new season just two weeks away," he said. "Being a small club, it is going to affect us because people normally come into the clubhouse for a drink or soft drink after playing.

"If we don't get that, it could be a struggle. It's bridge we'll have to cross and we'll be holding a committee meeting next week to discuss this decision because I fear this could be the death of some small clubs.

"To be honest, I don't think there is any need to close the golf courses in Edinburgh. If you put some safety measures in, I think the golf courses could have remained open. It's a big open field and it is one of the few pleasures people can get at the moment.

"Personally, I am devastated by this decision as I play golf all the way through the winter and I feel Edinburgh Leisure could have looked at alternatives to closing the courses.

"We've just got back on our feet this year after a few years of hardship. We are starting to do well again, but this going to set us back again.

"Edinburgh Leisure should have consulted the clubs before making this decision, but there have been no meetings at all. This is another case of them acting first and thinking later.

"Our subs have to be paid by December so all the subs are in. Edinburgh Leisure have sent us an email saying that for anyone who pays by direct debit nothing will be taken off until the golf courses are back open again.

"How they monitor it is going to be interesting because what's to stop people going down and play, especially at the weekends when there would be no greenkeepers around.

"If they tell us to close the clubhouse, it might not open up again for a long time and we would really struggle if that happened. At the moment, we will keep the clubhouse open."

The decision will hit four clubs based at The Braids - Harrison, Edinburgh Thistle, Edinburgh Western and Braids United.

"All the guidelines from Scottish Golf seemed reasonable, plus the fact it's a good time to be out on the golf course at the moment, said long-serving Harrison secretary Alan Torrance.

"This came completely out of the blue. Personally, I can't see the problem playing golf at the moment and it seems ridiculous to me that the courses are being shut.

"Everything is up in the air in terms of competitions, including the Dispatch Trophy, which now has to be in serious doubt, I'd imagine.

"People won't be using the clubhouse, so it's a worry for everyone, definitely.

"It will be very difficult for us to swallow to see people out walking up at the Braids over the next few weeks when we are unable to play golf.

"Will Edinburgh Leisure be giving people credit back for the money they have spent on the yearly pass?"