Sport is back! Golf and tennis players quick to return in Sussex

The keenest – and luckiest in terms of booking slots – were out on golf courses and tennis courts soon after the sun was up yesterday to tee off and serve in celebration of the fact both sports were allowed to resume.

A number of clubs quickly had to put plans in place for the big return after statements from prime minister Boris Johnson and ministers on Sunday and Monday which listed golf, tennis and angling as three sports people were free to enjoy as long as they adhered to social distancing rules.

In tennis you can only play singles – or doubles too if you’re on court with members of your own household.

Golf clubs can welcome players to play with people from their own household or with one person from outside their household – as long as the two-metre distance rule is followed by people from different households.

Action-starved players were on court at Fishbourne Tennis Club the moment they were allowed.

First to arrive at the Blackboy Lane club were Lewis Minett, his wife Maisie and children Arlo, six, and Idra, four, from Chichester.

Lewis, who runs the Scissor Shed hair salon in Chichester, said: “We’ve been looking forward to this day for seven weeks.”

The 35-year-old, who won the club’s 2019 men’s doubles championship, added: “The whole family loves a game of tennis and it’s great to be out of the house and back on court. I haven’t been able to give anyone a haircut for ages but at least now I can practise serving some aces!”

All games are subject to strict new regulations laid down by the government and Lawn Tennis Association and Fishbourne TC vice-chairman Bob Murray said: “The health and safety of all players remains our primary concern – at Fishbourne we are following the guidelines to the letter.

“We’re open to club members now, subject to the new regulations, and hope to be able to reopen the courts for the public soon.”

Following the Minett family on court yesterday were more FTC members deprived of their favourite sport since March 24 when sports clubs closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

FTC’s 2015 men’s singles champion Chris Gosden said: “It’s brilliant to be back hitting some balls.

“As the government has recognised, tennis is one of the few sports people can enjoy with the reassurance that health and safety guidelines and social distancing are fully complied with.”

Also looking for an early return at Fishbourne was Alex Bone, chief coach of the club’s coaching partner Generation Tennis. One-to-one coaching sessions for club members and the public would start soon, he said.

At Chichester Racquets and Fitness Club, the tennis courts were open and being booked up.

Meanwhile at Chichester Golf Club, member Thomas Goodall had the honour of being first to tee off –on a glorious morning for it.

The club’s Cathedral Course was open yesterday for members but from today both the Tower and Cathedral courses will open, also for members only.

The club plans to open up to visitors next week. All bookings must be made online.

Chichester GC’s Sally Haygarth said yesterday: “Demand has been massive – we’re fully booked all day.”

At Bognor GC a small number of green staff have maintained the course while fulfilling social distancing guidelines and rules from England Golf on what was deemed essential work.

Play resumed yesterday with only two players at a time teeing off at a minimum of ten-minute intervals, with all games pre-booked online.

Bunker rakes, ball washing machines and bins have been removed or covered. The flag on the green can’t be touched and members were told to arrive, play and return home.

James MacLean, Bognor GC’s manager, anticipating the very high demand, has split the course into two nine-hole courses.

As soon as Bognor’s online booking system opened on Monday evening, virtually all tee times for yesterday and today went within minutes.

Angling is also back - here are the thoughts of our columnist Steve Penticost.

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