Membership numbers rise at Yorkshire’s golf clubs after coronavirus lockdown

Recreational golf was one of the first sports that people could play once lockdown restrictions eased, with clubs re-opening to members on May 13.

And the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs have reported encouraging figures from the large majority of their 183 member clubs courses across the county.

“Golf is flourishing after a period of time when the courses were closed and nobody could play,” said Jonathan Plaxton, secretary of the Yorkshire Union.

“Initially it looked like a large number of members would use the pandemic to decide whether they would continue as members, whether that be concerns over their jobs, their mortgages or whether they were older players just taking it as a chance to hang up their clubs.

“But what we’re seeing by being one of the first sports back is a large number of people from other sports, like cricketers, footballers and rugby players, taking up golf.

“And because golf clubs have generally been looking after their members by prioritising their play, these new players are taking up memberships to ensure they get a tee time.

“They have been taking advantage of the many offers that clubs have been running as well. At first we thought this influx of members would replace the amount we lost in the period of inactivity, but it’s looking now like we might turn that into a nett win.”

So much so that some clubs are reporting an uptake of 30 to 50 members, while one club in York revealed it has attracted 120 new players on top of a previous membership of 170.

“The true picture will emerge at the end of the year after those clubs that have a financial year ending in April report their half-year uptake in October, and those that run for the calendar year report at the end of December,” continued Plaxton. “We are very pleased at the way it is going at the moment and long may that continue.

“The challenge now is to retain those members into next year.”

The Yorkshire Amateur has been moved to August 4-6 at Lindrick, while the Union’s summer’s tournaments get underway with the members meeting at Meltham on July 2. The Boys Championship is at Scarcroft on July 24.