BREAN’S golfers were expecting to be preparing for their biggest club event of the year on the opening weekend of June, as the 2020 Club Championships were due to be played.

As it is, the excitement level is probably still just as high among them, as long-awaited clearance has been received from golfing governing bodies that competition play can now resume again at club level.

After the extremely wet winter period which was closely followed by the enforced coronavirus lockdown period, the Brean members have been somewhat starved of the competitions they usually thrive on for far too long.

It is planned to hold an informal event over next weekend, with the relevant restrictions in place, to test the water - and if all goes well a return to competing for trophies can restart.

Director of golf and PGA professional Andrew March has set about the difficult task of trying to fit as many of the postponed events back into the calendar as possible.

It is a date for the prestigious Club Championship weekend that many will be looking out for, none more so than defending champions Phil Hodgson and Lyn Bird.

Hodgson prevailed in a dramatic three-hole play-off against Dan Broom last year to claim the men’s title, while Bird will be gunning for a fourth successive win in the ladies event.

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BURNHAM & Berrow Golf Club’s managing secretary, Karen Drake, gave the Weekly News an update on how things are progressing at the club since it reopened last month.

Drake said: “Our members have been delighted to come back and see their friends again.

“The weather has been fantastic, too, which is a real bonus!

“We have managed things very carefully, restricting the number who can play at any one time, and using a one-way system.

“Members must pre-book, and our practice facilities are restricted too.

“It has worked well as a phased approach.

“We have been able to maintain and manage the key areas of the course, and the drier weather means the grass is not growing too much at the moment.”

Looking ahead, Drake said: “With more government restrictions relaxed, three or four members can now play together.

“We are continuing to review things and look at competitions.

“The R&A has relaxed some rules, which allows us to hold qualifying competitions.

“We can then look to relax visitor bookings in July, but that is dependent on the wider [coronavirus] situation.

“We can also look to offer refreshments at the club, as long as it is outdoors.”

What has the reaction been from members overall?

“We have kept in close communication with our members,” Drake explained.

“Members have to adhere to our code of conduct in order to play, and they understand that.

“Compared to other sports, and other areas of life, golfers know we are very lucky.”

For more information on the club, you can visit its website here.