Cupar Golf Club in top shape ahead of new season

We’ve been in a fortunate position in Scotland that our courses remained open for play, albeit under safety guidance, during the most recent lockdown.

All other parts of the UK weren’t so lucky and are still waiting for the laws to be lifted.

But for those who tend to stay off the course anyway during the chilly weather, their return for the first time in months is also imminent.

Locally, Cupar Golf Club have been hard it during winter to make sure their course is in peak condition for what will no doubt be a busy spring and summer.

Greenkeeper Gary Douglas explained: “It’s been another busy period trying to get all the winter work completed before the start of the season, which is only a matter of weeks away.

"The snow certainly delayed us getting things finished.”

There has certainly been some major improvements carried out by Gary, and band of volunteers, at Cupar.

Drainage work on the seventh green has been completed and a small drain has been added to the path near the eighth tee.

"The bunkers are being edged and topped up with fresh sand ready for the new season and this will be ongoing over the next few weeks,” added Gary.

“The new rebuilt bunkers on the second and eighth are all ready for the opening game and the irrigation boxes, sprinklers, and fairway yardage discs are edged and cleaned. Some of the old sprinkler heads are being upgraded to rainbird and there are only a few left to replace.”

The course, believed to be the oldest nine-hole in the world, was first played over in 1892, has never looked in better shape.

Its fairways, tees, approaches and some areas of rough have now all been tended ahead of the season starting.

“We have also tidied up some seating areas on the course and installed slabs for Charlene’s memorial bench,” said Gary.

For more information on Cupar GC, please visit cupargolfclub.co.uk or the club’s Facebook profile.