WITH the days getting longer, the members at Enmore Park - like golfers everywhere - are looking forward to the time when Covid-19 restrictions are eased and they can get back out onto the course, writes Richard Walsh.

For a very large majority of those who play regularly, the chance to get out into the open air and the social aspects of the game are as important as the score they end up with on their card.

Kath Carr has been a member at Enmore Park since moving to Somerset with her family back in 1961, from Barrow in Furness.

She said: “I still regularly play on a Wednesday morning, when the course is open, and I join in with the nine-hole ladies now.

“I really enjoy going out to play; I enjoy the company and the social side of the club, all of which is very important to me.”

She added: “In order to join the club back in those days you had to be proposed by one member and seconded by another, in addition to which the proposer took on the responsibility of overseeing your behaviour both on and off the course!

“Back in 1961 the fees to join Enmore were quite expensive compared to Barrow.

“It cost 10 guineas (£10, 10 shillings) to join plus an annual membership fee of £24.

“Non- members paid 10/- per day to play at the course!

“The clubhouse at that time was a small wooden construction with a verandah and there was a welcoming open fire inside.

“It was very cosy and everyone was made to feel very much at home.

Bob Pritchard is another club stalwart, having joined in 1972.

He was captain in 1994 and is now club president.

“When I joined the club they had just started to play over 18 holes,” he said.

“At that time the old cricket pavilion that we used as a clubhouse was, compared to today’s standards, pretty shabby but we had a lot of fun there.

“We used to have fancy dress parties, quizzes and an Enmore Review.

“There were some pretty talented people in the club and they all did skits which everyone really enjoyed.”

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ENMORE Park has just released the dates for its Open Competitions this summer, starting with the Gents Open on Thursday April 22, and the Ladies Spring Open Bowmaker on Wednesday May 12.

For a full list of all Enmore Opens in 2021, visit the website here.