SEVERAL Isle of Wight golf clubs have seen a surge in membership and a reintroduction of competitive play on their courses since coronavirus lockdown rules were eased just over a month ago.

While lockdown, introduced by the government in mid-March, has proved to be financially debilitating for most sports clubs, golf clubs on the Isle of Wight have not only retained most of their pre-Covid membership, they have also managed to bolster their ranks.

On the beginning of their journey back to normality, most clubs are delighted with booking systems chock-a-block with players wanting a game — be it with strict members-only play, or with visitors.

Isle of Wight County Press: Golf is on the up on the Isle of Wight since lockdown restrictions were relaxed.Golf is on the up on the Isle of Wight since lockdown restrictions were relaxed.

This has brought in valuable green fees revenue while clubhouses remain shut.

Competitions are now getting underway, with most holding their own nine and 18-hole Stableford and medal events, although club trophy events have fallen by the wayside — at least for now — with Ryde, for example, aiming to catch up on cancelled trophy events this summer.

Shanklin and Sandown (SSGC) has boosted its aims of running qualifying competitions soon by introducing the mobile app, HowDidIDo, which allows players to score without the use of a card, although provision is being made to still take cards, for handling a few days later.

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While the Isle of Wight Golf Alliance has cancelled its list of events this season, the Isle of Wight Golf Union is currently negotiating with clubs with a view to holding its Isle of Wight Championship in August — its biggest qualifying event, vital for those aiming to represent Team Isle of Wight at the Island Games in Jersey next year — as well as its summer and autumn championships.

As recreational play revives, overheads still have to be covered with limited revenue streams.

Isle of Wight County Press: Cowes Golf Club has been busy since Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed a month ago.Cowes Golf Club has been busy since Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed a month ago.

However, the picture looks even rosier as clubhouses work towards a possible reopening from July 4, in line with England Golf guidelines and the government’s plan to reopen pubs and clubs.

SSGC has seen membership increase by 101 over the past month, thanks to a successful winter recruitment trial and more wanting to either take up golf, defect from other clubs or renew past memberships, as well as commuters working from home on the Island wishing to play.

The club has also been inundated with inquiries about joining.

Isle of Wight County Press: Newport Golf Club has been busy since lockdown restrictions were relaxed about a month ago.Newport Golf Club has been busy since lockdown restrictions were relaxed about a month ago.

“I anticipate there will be some more members, so it’s all looking good,” said club secretary, Sarah Hammond.

Ryde, looking to get its competitive fixtures started on June 28, has attracted 25 new members.

Competition secretary, Tom McInnes, said: “We’ll try to get as much competition in as possible. Golf clubs rely on the May to October period for its revenue.”

While membership has been on a par with last year, pay-and-play and increasing numbers on the driving range have boosted the Westridge Centre coffers.

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“Uptake has been unprecedented. This last month has been positive for us and we’re in the best place we’ve been in for a very long time,” said its proprietor, Mark Wright.

“We have no live sport to compete with, we’ve had great weather and people want to get outdoors. We’ve had a clear run of things.”

Newport say they have seen membership up into double figures, while Cowes and Ventnor have benefited from encouraging pay-and-play green fee revenue.

Isle of Wight County Press: Westridge has seen a surge in pay-and-play golf and use of its driving range since lockdown restrictions were relaxed.Westridge has seen a surge in pay-and-play golf and use of its driving range since lockdown restrictions were relaxed.

Freshwater Bay Golf Club has seen a surge in interest to join the club, with around ten joining so far, while Osborne report they have welcomed 29 new members — a 41 per cent increase.

A Freshwater spokesman said: “It’s been very positive. We’ve had a lot of inquiries to join and we’ll have competitions back soon.”