We’ve come so far, please don’t stop listening to the advice now

Our courses have now been open for business for a couple of weeks.

Clubs have been enforcing strict safety measures on site which are largely being adhered to.

But in a letter to all of sport’s governing bodies, including Scottish Golf, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick and chair of sportscotland, Mel Young claim there is “evidence” some people are ignoring the current guidance of not travelling more than five miles for recreation.

The warning to those choosing not to respect the restrictions is stark.

“Last week we entered phase 1 of the Scottish Government route map for moving out of lockdown, which allowed some flexibility to the existing restrictions,” the statement read.

“As part of phase 1, we were pleased that a number of outdoor activities and sport could return.

“We were grateful for the work you did to support that and provide clear guidance to your clubs and members.

“As part of that guidance we recommended that people do not travel more than five miles for recreation, but we left room for some discretion so that people could go further to visit family.

“While the majority adhered to this guidance, there was some evidence of a minority not abiding by those guidelines and travelling significant distances unnecessarily.

“If people continue to make journeys which risk spreading the virus - we may have to put the restrictions on travel distance into law.

“This is something we do not want to do, but may have to if we think it is necessary for the collective safety and wellbeing of everyone.

“We have made significant progress in tackling Covid-19 but this is not irreversible.

“It requires us all to be responsible and adhere to the rules that are in place.

“If we all stick to these rules we are helping to suppress this virus.

“However, by travelling greater distances to undertake activities unnecessarily, we are providing a chance for the virus to spread more quickly, and to spread to different parts of the country.”

• Clubs continue to welcome back members this week, Elmwood amongst them.

Throughout lockdown, the course has been maintained by a core team – all former students from SRUC’s Elmwood campus.