FROM May18 golf club members in the Republic will be able to take out their clubs again and enjoy a curtailed game on their local course but that throws up a sticky question.
What about players from Northern Ireland who are members of southern clubs and vice-versa?
Many men and women, of course, are dual members of clubs north and south.
All along the border of Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh, in particular, golfers are dual members being registered with clubs on both sides of the border.
There is, of course, also the question of travel distances.
Could the problems split golfing communities? Not, if the golf associations have their way.
“Yes, at the minute there are different positions and if that doesn't change there could be problems,” agrees Golfing Union of Ireland Ulster Branch Executive Kevin Stevens.
“However, we don't see it as a difficulty just yet as the courses in the south will not open until May 18.
“In the meantime, we will be pressing the government here that now is the time to re-open our courses in the north.
“Next Thursday we have a joint meeting arranged with the Sport and Recreation Committee in Stormont and that will tell a tale.
“We are happy to do anything we can to get our courses, here, reopened this month.”
The ban on playing golf, which was understandable, has severely hit the Irish economy in both areas and from now on is the time of the year when visitors flock to Ireland to play many of the excellent courses that are on offer all over the island.
Naturally, health is more important than holiday golf but no doubt thousands of golfers will anxiously wait and see what happens at that important meeting next Thursday in Stormont.
