Coronavirus: Top Edinburgh golf club closes clubhouse with more to follow

One of the top golf clubs in Edinburgh has closed its clubhouse with immediate effect after the government warned against "non-essential" contact, including trips to pubs and clubs, due to the coronavirus.

The course at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society in Edinburgh remains open but the clubhouse has been completely shutdown

While the course at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, which has an elderly membership demographic, remains open to members, the clubhouse at the historic capital venue has been shutdown completely.

"I met with the Club Executive yesterday and planned restrictive action in line with UK Government advice," Dougie Cleeton, the CEO, told The Scotsman. "Following the announcement by the UK Primer Minister, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser on Monday afternoon, the status had been escalated to minimising risk by avoidance areas where food and beverage could be served and unnecessary social contact.

"Whilst we recognised that golf clubs are a critical part of many members social life, the clear advice given along with the requirement to minimise risk, resulted in a re-evaluation of our earlier intention resulting in a complete closure of the clubhouse effective today and until further notice.

"We recognise that this is a challenging time but accept the need to minimise risk with some short term pain. The golf course currently remains open to members and there is daily club management on site, albeit in isolation."

It seems certain that other clubs will follow suit, with the situation being closely monitored at Royal Burgess Golfing Society, for example. "We haven’t made any decision to close yet but are looking at restricting our catering offer and, of course, no large functions or gatherings can take place," said Graham Callander, general manager at the Barnton club. "Golf activity is continuing and we will review the situation again tomorrow after taking some more appropriate 'soundings'."

The Scotsman also understands that a board meeting is being held at Gullane, one of the busiest clubs in Scotland, today, to discuss all aspects of the coronavirus, with the possibility of its two clubhouses - one for members and the other for visitors - being closed.

In another reaction to the government stepping up measures, Scottish Golf has postponed all grassroots activity with immediate effect, meaning the successful Junior GolfSixes Leagues across Scotland and newly-established Girls' Golf Hubs in the country are being impacted.

"This decision has been taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that everyone involved in the game from players to coaches, volunteers and staff are protected from unnecessary contact," said the governing body in its latest update.

"Scottish Golf will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and will be in direct correspondence with those impacted by today’s decision as our response to the outbreak continues.

"While Scottish Golf has taken this difficult decision, we would also like to highlight that golf is a sport that allows players to exercise outdoors in the fresh air where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low. All golf clubs should aim to keep their members and staff safe and well."

In an earlier update, Scottish Golf said it was urging member clubs to help each other by sharing "best practice" ideas in reacting to the pandemic, with chair Eleanor Cannon issuing a rallying call to everyone in the game in the sport's cradle.

"Our golf clubs are caring communities in their own right and, because of the age profile of our membership across Scotland at this unprecedented time, there are many frightened and lonely people who club members are rallying around to support," she said.

"The team at Scottish Golf will continue to monitor and onward communicate the Government advide to governing bodies. We must respect the experts and continually be guided by them as the situation evolves.

"Our game is mostly about individual excellence. However, the values of the game are never stronger than when we are in a team situation. I know that everyone, everywhere in Scotland, will be working together to excel through this present time of anxiety and of hardship."