South Lanarkshire Council golf courses thriving just a month after fears of permanent closure

Mags Cathcart may be pulling pints for players at Hollandbush Golf Club soon, if First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces this Thursday that beer gardens can open imminently as part of Phase Two of coming out of coronavirus lockdown.

Mags Cathcart, manager at the Lesmahagow course, said that Hollandbush, Biggar, Larkhall, Torrance House, Langlands and Strathclyde Park had been doing extremely well since reopening this month following several weeks of closure due to the coronavirus crisis.

“We have been extremely busy,” Mags told the Carluke and Lanark Gazette. “The uptake in season ticket sales has been phenomenal.

“A major positive to come out of golf’s return after lockdown has been the fact that many more people are playing the game.

“It has revived the game of golf in South Lanarkshire.

“Members are saying the course is in great condition.

“Everybody is observing the social distancing measures really well.

“We are doing tee off times for twoballs every 10 minutes which is working a treat.

“I’m delighted the future of the courses in South Lanarkshire is secure for the time being because of the boom.”

The remarkable resurgence at Hollandbush – which has around 180 members – means that members’ medal competitions have been played on the last two Saturdays, with prospects that a beer garden could open at the club imminently.