It's been just over a month since golf was given the all clear, despite some back-and-forth in the process, and as a result, numbers have been better than ever.
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One of Mudgee's most familiar golfing faces, Mark Hale is one of the many who have been enjoying golf in a time where outside activities are limited.
"It's been great to have an outlet to get out of the house and have a bash, the course is in great condition," Hale said.
"I probably would have been divorced by now if golf was out of bounds much longer, and I'd say I wasn't the only one heading down that path.
"At the moment we are abiding by all social distancing rules which have actually been good for the game, it has sped up play by only being in groups of two and has you around the course in approximately three to three and a half hours."
Early April, members received a text message from Golf NSW that there had been some errors between government departments and that golf could resume.
Since then, Hale says the number of players has increased out of sight, which goes a long way in supporting the local club.
Numbers have been through the roof, it is so good to see so many new faces around the place.
- Mark Hale
"I just hope when all other sports reopen and junior sport starts back up, we can keep the great numbers, participating in weekly events at the Mudgee Golf Club (MGC) in the future as the club needs as many new members to help with the survival of the great club.
"I would like to thank all the players for their support of the MGC in these trying times and hopefully we can soon be back playing in groups of four, rumour has it that it may be as soon as next week."
Mark's son James hasn't skipped a beat, taking on every opportunity he gets to improve his golfing, proving to be a chip off the old block.
"James has improved out of sight and is loving his golf at the moment. A massive thank you to our club pro, Peter Mayson who in my eyes is actually running the club in these tough times and has been a massive part in James improvement with the lessons now and then," he said.
"We have two juniors playing regularly now, James and young Jack Sinclair which is great to see. We love to see more juniors at our club."
While Mark understands how difficult it must be for others having had theirs sports delayed, he said it's ultimately for the benefit of the community.
I have sympathy for other sports not playing at the moment, but it's for the safety of all of us.
"Can they guarantee they won't break the rules and spread the virus? Look at what has happened with these NRL players. My kids can follow these strict rules but the professional sportsmen struggle to follow them, it was disgusting.
"Can we keep abiding by these rules in our great, small town? It wouldn't take much for a massive outbreak, especially coming into winter."
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
