Nairn Dunbar urging public to swing into action to help
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Nairn Dunbar Golf Club is appealing to the public to help them through the coronavirus crisis.
It has issued a rallying call to golfers to help support the club by retaining membership or joining for the first time.
As faced by a number of golf clubs across the UK and beyond, the Covid-19 pandemic is set to hit the renowned championship venue hard over the coming weeks.
In line with government guidelines during the crisis, the course, clubhouse and pro shop are all closed with no date set for when the club will re-open as the health situation deepens.
The club, which will co-host The Amateur Championship with The Nairn Golf Club next year and boasts an improved links test following course improvements, is heavily reliant on the population in the town to purchase memberships and are calling for support from golfers during this challenging period.
Club manager Kieran Maclean said: “This is a challenging and sad time for everyone in society, including the golf club. The majority of our hardworking greens, house and administration staff are now in Furlough and we are working hard in the face of a rapidly changing situation to mitigate the effects these measures will have on the club.
“We are also investigating if there are any ways the club can be of support to our members and the local community through these trying times.
"While money may be tight just now, we encourage our members to retain their membership and we would also be delighted to see new members come forward.
“Just a few short days ago we were all eagerly looking forward to the start of the 2020 playing season and the club was enjoying a very positive buzz. Hopes are high that this will return quickly when we are allowed to reopen the club and course.”
Professional golfer Russell Knox who grew up playing at Nairn Dunbar is an honorary member.
Now based in the US, the club’s former junior and men’s champion is hopeful all golf clubs in the north can come through this turbulent period.
Asked how worried he is for Highland golf overall during the crisis, the three-time Tour winner said: “It is devastating. Obviously, Scotland depends a lot on tourism, especially for their golf as well. It’s such a strange time. I watch the news just like everyone else and, I mean, it’s almost like it’s not real.
“The whole world is obviously just getting pounded by this and it’s going to take a while to kind of get out of it, sadly. I feel terrible for all the golf courses in Scotland that maybe are struggling. Hopefully we can get over it quickly and things can get back to normal.”
