Picture gallery: Golfers were back on the fairways today at Mahon, Douglas and Cork Golf Club
GOLF courses in Cork and around the country re-opened on Monday morning as the first phase in the easing of government restrictions around Covid-19 began. Peter Hickey, Cork Golf Club Pro, and Noel Elliot, Cork Golf Club bar manager. Picture: Jim Coughlan.Jim O'Donovan and Tony Kelly at Mahon course today. Picture: Eddie O'HareClub members James Doolan, Bart Cremin and Ger Donovan who tee'd off at 8am during a round of golf at Douglas Golf Club on Monday morning. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Jim O'Donovan and Tony Kelly at Mahon course today. Picture: Eddie O'HareClub members James Doolan, Bart Cremin and Ger Donovan who tee'd off at 8am during a round of golf at Douglas Golf Club on Monday morning. Picture: Eóin Noonan/SportsfileKevin Flanagan at the Ted McCarthy municipal golf course. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
There are strict protocols in place in the interest of safety, while non-essential travel is limited to 5km, which technically means only club members within that distance are allowed to take to the fairways and greens. Club bars remain shut, while golfers are advised to leave once they've finished their rounds, with fewer tee-times available. Rob Lucey, Alan and Adam Harrington on the 15th tee at Cork Golf Club. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Douglas Golf Club general manager John McHenry at today's re-opening. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Liam Ó Huigín and Conor O'Brien in Mahon for golf's return. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
In recent days Fota Island Golf Club were prepped for its re-opening. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Our photographers captured the action at Cork Golf Club, Mahon and Douglas, scenes which were replicated throughout Rebel county. One casualty of the economic downturn since the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe however is Water Rock Golf Course outside Midleton.
The Healy family recently announced they wouldn't in a position to re-open the popular course which was established in 1994.
Tennis clubs are also allowed to return now, while athletics clubs can train putdoors in groups of four or less while observing social distancing.
However, Cork's most famous athletics club, Leevale, doesn't have access to facilities at CIT or the Mardyke for now, while their indoor High-Performance Centre remains closed.
