THE SOLHEIM CUP WILL MOVE TO EVEN YEARS IN 2024

The Solheim Cup will move to even years from 2024, after the Ryder Cup was rescheduled to odd years as a result of this year's COVID-19 pandemic.

The LPGA & LET announced today that the Solheim Cup will move to even years starting in 2024. The 2021 and 2023 competitions will be held in their previously announced dates and locations in Ohio and Spain, respectively, with back-to-back playings in 2023 and 2024.

The Solheim Cup Committee approved the change to even years following the announcement that the Ryder Cup will move to an odd-year schedule, after the 2020 competition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific dates and location for the 2024 Solheim Cup, which will be held in the United States, will be announced in the future.

Dennis Baggett, Executive Director of the Solheim Cup, said:

"With the world sporting schedule changing so much due to current difficulties, we felt it was in the best interest of the Solheim Cup to return to an off-year rotation with the Ryder Cup. When the competition returns to the United States in 2024, I have no doubt fans will have an incredible opportunity to celebrate the best women golfers from the United States and Europe as they represent their home countries."

The 2021 Solheim Cup will take place from 4-6 September at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. USA Captain Pat Hurst, along with Assistant Captains Angela Stanford and Michelle Wie West (a 3rd assistant captain will be named in 2021), will lead the best players from the United States as they look to reclaim the Solheim Cup on home soil. The European team will once again be led by Captain Catriona Matthew, with Vice Captains Laura Davies, Kathryn Imrie and Suzann Pettersen by her side.

The 2023 Solheim Cup will take place from 22-24 September at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain. It will be followed a week later by the Ryder Cup in Italy, giving European sports fans a rare two-week spectacle of competition and patriotic fervour.

SCOTTISH REGIONAL MEDAL FINALS - ENTRIES ARE OPEN

Entries for The 2021 Medal Finals are open! Male & female Club Qualifiers from 2019 & 2020 can now enter one of the six Regional Medal Finals.

Scottish Golf released the following statement tody:

"Entries for the combined Medal Finals event are now open to male and female club golfers, with 2019 and 2020 club qualifiers invited to enter into one of six Regional Finals taking place during May and July next year."

"On the day of the Regional Final, male and female players will have the chance to play on the same course with the top six net male and female qualifiers booking their place at the Home of Golf for the Grand Final which will be played over The Dukes Course on Saturday 15 August 2021."

"A full list of dates and venues can be found below:"

"To enter, please click here." **

**Before you enter, please check with your club to ensure that you are eligible. Some of the rules for Scottish Regional Medal Finals have changed this year.

EMILY PEDERSEN WINS SAUDI LADIES INTERNATIONAL

Emily Pedersen won the Saudi Ladies International after a dramatic play-off against 2019 Solheim Cup star Georgia Hall.

Denmark's Emily Pedersen made Ladies European Tour (LET) history at the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International with a dramatic birdie on the first play-off hole to win her second LET title of the season from major winner Georgia Hall, after the pair tied in regulation at -10.

As a result of the victory, the 24-year-old Dane has extended her lead to an almost unassailable position in the Race to Costa del Sol and will collect the season’s largest winner’s check, outside of the majors, of €150,000.

After her win Emily Pedersen said:

"It’s very special, I am very happy that I got to be the first person to win a tournament here and I think it is great that we are playing here. The country has a bright future in golf and hopefully we’ll be back for many years."

"I’m really proud that I got it back twice, I feel like I was out of it at the start of the front nine, then again at the start of the back nine but I kept fighting back."

"I changed my strategy on the 18th. I’ve hit driver the last three days, but I’ve been a bit off and with the flag on the right side we talked about laying it up left and accessing the back pin. I knew I had to make a birdie on the last and I just kind of felt the shot. It was one of the best shots I’ve ever hit."

Gracious in defeat, Georgia Hall said:

"I played well today, and it was certainly windier than yesterday. It was just a shame my putt on 18 didn’t go in. Emily hit an amazing shot on the last hole in regulation and it was very brave. I’m really pleased for her as she’s a really nice girl and she hit a fantastic chip (in the playoff) and that’s where I lost it."

Scotland's Carly Booth and Alison Muirhead finished in a group of five players tied for 16th on -2, while Kelsey MacDonald finished tied for 38th on +5 and Kylie Hendry finished tied for 55th on +9.

LYDIA HALL & EMILY PEDERSEN LEAD THE WAY IN SAUDI

Lydia Hall and Emily Pedersen are tied for the lead on -10 going into the final round of this week's $1m Arnaco Saudi Ladies International.

Welsh star Lydia Hall shot a three-under-par third round of 69 to share the lead with Denmark's Emily Pedersen on -10 after Day 3 of the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

Overnight leader Pedersen may not have had her ‘A’ game on course at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, but the in-form Dane battled to a round of 71 to keep herself in with a chance of collecting her second victory of the season.

Major winner Georgia Hall (ENG), who set a course record 65 to take the first-round lead, finished just one shot behind the leaders after returning a three-under-par third round of 69.

Top Scot is Carly Booth. She was briefly tied for third with Georgia Hall after shooting four birdies in the first seven holes, but a run of four bogeys at the turn saw her finish with a level-par third round of 72 and drop back into a tie for 7th on -7.

Alison Muirhead (SCO) is tied for 21st on level-par for the tournament, while Kelsey MacDonald (SCO) is tied for 39th on +4 and Kylie Henry (SCO) is tied for 50th on +5.

Fellow Scots Michele Thomson, Laura Murray and Heather MacRae all missed the cut for the weekend, which fell at +7.

2021 SCOTTISH REGIONAL MEDAL FINALS ANNOUNCED

Scottish Golf has invited all affiliated clubs in Scotland to enter their top performing male & female players into the 2021 Regional Medal Finals.

Yesterday Scottish Golf announced:

"Entries for the 2021 Scottish Medal Finals will open on Monday 16 November, with affiliated clubs invited to enter their top 2019 & 2020 qualifiers into 1 of 6 Regional Finals taking place during May and July 2021."

"On the day of the Regional Final, male and female players will play alongside each other with the top 6 male and top 6 female net qualifiers booking their place at the Home of Golf for the Grand Final which will be played over The Dukes Course on Saturday 15 August 2021."

Scottish Golf has issued affiliated clubs with event details and a link which can be sent to qualifiers in order to book their place in the Regional Finals.

SEVEN SCOTS IN FIRST WOMEN'S PRO EVENT IN SAUDI

Seven Scots are set to tee it up in this week's inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on the Red Sea coast.

The small 'Tartan Army', that will help make golfing history this week as they play in Saudi Arabia’s first ever professional female tournament, will include LET winners Carly Booth and Kylie Henry.

They will be joined by Kelsey MacDonald, Michele Thomson, Alison Muirhead and Laura Murray, who have secured spots in the $1m event through their LET categories, and also Heather MacRae, who was delighted to land an invitation to the LET event.

Catriona Matthew was due to make it eight Scots, but the Solheim Cup captain was withdrawn after testing positive for Covid-19 ahead of last week's Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic, although she was later cleared after two subsequent tests proved to be negative.

While some LET players, including England's duo Meghan MacLaren and Mel Reid, have decided to skip the event due to concerns over Saudi Arabia's human rights record, there is still a strong line-up for the event.

Heading that line-up are four 2019 Solheim Cup team-mates, Georgia Hall, Charley Hull, Anna Nordqvist and Anne van Dam, and the 2020 Race to Costa del Sol leader, Emily Pederson.

The field will also include four-time major-winner Laura Davies. Thrilled to be part of the landmark event in womenʼs golf, Davies said:

"The Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF will be quite the watershed moment that allows us to bring the sport we love to a whole new audience in a way that I think blazes a trail for women and sportswomen in and out of Saudi Arabia."

"Weʼre taking womenʼs golf to a new frontier, both in terms of inspiring new women to give the sport a try and in helping grow the Ladies European Tour event calendar, so itʼs a tournament Iʼm really excited to play in."

The LET event, which takes place from 12-15 November, will be followed on 17-19 November at the same venue by the Saudi Ladies Team International.

To celebrate the historic nature of both tournaments, Golf Saudi is launching a ‘Ladies First Clubʼ, which will offer free golf to 1,000 women living across the Kingdom.

SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATE ON COVID-19 GUIDANCE

Scottish Golf has issued a new COVID-19 update on the travel guidance for golfers and on the funding available for clubs affected by current restrictions. 

The full statement issued by Scottish Golf today reads as follows:

"Following the First Minister's update in Parliament on Tuesday 10th November, Scottish Golf has been in further dialogue with our partners at sportscotland to gain further clarity on the current travel guidance in place. We are now able to provide the following updated travel guidance for all golf clubs below:"

• "You should avoid travel to other areas regardless of their level unless essential."

• "For exercise/sport – there is an exemption, however, it is limited:"

• "In Level 4 - [It is] not permitted to drive outside your Local Authority area for exercise – you can cross boundaries in the process of exercising i.e if a golf course straddles two Local Authority area boundaries."

• "In Level 3 - You can travel anywhere within your local authority area to take part in sport. You may cross a local authority boundary by up to 5 miles if necessary, this includes where a golf course straddles two local authority areas. You can currently travel up to 5 miles into another local authority for sport where this is absolutely necessary and you cannot access the sport otherwise. If there is a more local option to play golf within your local authority area, this would be recommended as unnecessary travel is being actively discouraged."

• "Levels 0-2 - Adults should, where possible, minimise unnecessary travel between areas and not travel to a Level 3 or 4."

"It is important that we continue to show good adherence to the current guidance in place and Scottish Golf encourages all clubs and golfers to play their part in demonstrating that as a sport, we are acting responsibly and safely amidst the ongoing restrictions."

"The current guidance for golf remains the same and is summarised below:"

• "On-course golf activities can continue under our current Phase 3 Guidance, with up to four players from four different households allowed to participate together. There are no changes to access to toilet facilities, locker rooms or professional shops which can continue to be utilised provided all appropriate measures, such as the use of face masks, increased sanitation are adhered to."

• "Clubhouses and sports facilities which provide catering and bar services, can operate providing they adhere to Scottish Government guidance appropriate to the protection level in which they are operating."

"Clubs will be aware that The Coronavirus Restrictions Fund closed to applications at 5pm on Tuesday 3rd November 2020. This has now been replaced by the Strategic Framework Business Fund."

"The new Fund consists of two grants which are available to affected golf clubs:"

• "Temporary Closure Grant - £2,000 or £3,000 (depending on rateable value) if your business is required to close by law."

• "Business Restrictions Grant - £1,400 or £2,100 (depending on rateable value) if your business can remain open but is specifically required to modify its operations by law, for example having to close earlier than normal or demand for your products or services has been reduced because of the pandemic."

"On 31st of October 2020 Economy Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, released this statement confirming that sports clubs would be eligible for ‘hardship and closure grants’ that will be replaced by the Strategic Framework Business Fund and we would encourage any golf club facing restrictions to apply."

THE MASTERS AT AUGUSTA IN THE FALL

This year, The Masters will be like no other. For the first time in its history, the Augusta National will host The Masters in the Fall and also a pandemic.

The 84th Masters tournament, which was postponed in April because of the coronavirus pandemic, is set to begin this Thursday, 12 November, with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player acting as Honorary Starters.

Normally, The Masters would be the first major of the season and held in April not November. But this is not a normal year and, like many other events in 2020, The Masters has had to adjust.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no patrons or visitors on the grounds this week. There will be no spring colours of red and lavender azaleas, pink dogwood and orange honeysuckle. There will also be no signature roars, which are the very essence of what makes Augusta National so magical. As Tiger Woods once said:

"It echoes there. It travels. It's unlike any place in the world."

There will be other changes too. The Par 3 Contest, which is traditionally played on the Wednesday prior to the tournament, has been cancelled. Due to the lack of day-light, players will be scheduled to start from the first and 10th tees for the first two rounds. Only the lowest 50 players and ties will qualify for the weekend.

But, there are some traditions that will not change. While The Masters may look and sound very different this year, come Sunday afternoon the winner will be putting on a jacket in a very familiar colour.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GENERAL PLAY SCORES

Under the World Handicap System (WHS) you have the option to submit General Play Scores. This can be done at any time over a measured course.

You can use the Scottish Golf App to submit these scores.

Scottish Golf has released the following statement:

"One of the major benefits of the new World Handicap System (WHS) is the option to submit General Play scores."

"General Play enables you to submit scores for their WHS Handicap Index from any course at any time – you can even decide to do this on the day. Therefore you don’t have to wait until the next medal day at your club or for an open competition in order to improve your handicap."

"It’s also a great way to see how regular submission of scores will give you a Handicap Index that is more reflective of your play, which is one of the key benefits of WHS. You can find out more on WHS Handicapping from your golf club or by clicking here."

"Whether you are playing socially with friends at your local course, or looking to test yourself on a Championship Course, General Play will allow you to submit a score from any tees you choose."

"You can register and submit your General Play scores quickly and easily through the Scottish Golf App. Read our simple guide on how to do this by clicking here."

"Download the Scottish Golf App:"
iTunes
Google Play

WELSH CLUBS REOPEN AS LATEST LOCKDOWN ENDS

Welsh golf clubs are welcoming golfers back to their clubs this week, after the end of the country's 17-day "circuit-breaker lockdown".

Wales Golf issued a COVID-19 update yesterday, which confirmed that all courses, professional shops, driving ranges and golf club restaurants in Wales would be allowed to reopen from Monday 9 November 2020.

You can read the full statement here.

English golf clubs & driving ranges are all currently closed as part of a new month-long lockdown in England, which came into force on Thursday 5 November 2020.

JUNIOR WINTER EVENT AT FORTROSE & ROSEMARKIE

The Junior Winter Series event at Fortrose & Rosemarkie has been rescheduled to Sunday 14 March 2021.

The Winter Series Team has issued the following statement:

"Fortrose & Rosemarkie Update:"
"After discussions today [wednesday 4 November] with Mike MacDonald at F& R, the event has been rescheduled for Sunday 14th March 2021. It will still count as part of the Winter Series. The 98 players who entered (there was 1 W/D prior to the draw being made) will have first refusal. We have 34 tee times from 8.24am which will accommodate 102 players. To re-enter, simply contact me by text or email from Monday 23rd November 2020. Hopefully, the new draw will be similair to the one already circulated."

"Sincerely," 
"Paul"
"on behalf of the Winter Series Team"

The updated 2020/21 Junior Winter Series fixture list is as follows:

11th February 2021 - West Kilbride Golf Club (Entries are open)
14th March 2021 - Fortrose & Rosemarkie (Rescheduled from Nov. 2020)

You can find out more &/or enter at: @juniortourscotland

SCOTTISH GOLF ZOOM CALL ON NEW SCOTTISH GOLF APP

Scottish Golf has published a video of its latest Zoom Panel Call, which focussed on showcasing the key features of the new Scottish Golf App

To watch a video of the Scottish Golf Zoom Call click on the link below:
Scottish Golf App Zoom Panel Call - Episode 13

Hosted by Iain Evans, Club Business Manager at Scottish Golf, the Zoom Call gave over 500 golfers from across the country the opportunity to hear from, and pose questions to, David Kernohan, Handicapping and Course Rating Officer at Scottish Golf, Gordon Crae from Gourock Golf Club and Joe Persh, Head of Development and Technology at OCS.

Following the Scottish Golf App Zoom Call, David Kernohan, said: 

"We would like to thank everyone for their time in tuning in to today’s session. As mentioned on the call, we are really pleased with how the implementation of WHS has gone so far in Scotland with over 77,000 registered users on the App."

"As with all change, it will take some time to adjust, but we are here to help as much as possible. The most important thing for golfers to remember is that by trusting the system and submitting scores, you will very quickly see how your handicap index adjusts to your demonstrated playing ability."

"Following the significant demand for this week’s call, we will be looking to host further Zoom Panel Calls in the coming weeks to give more golfers the opportunity to tune-in live and find out more."

"Should anyone wish to find out more about the Scottish Golf App, you can do so on our dedicated webpage here."

"If you would like to read about how initial Handicap Index calculation was done, information can be found here."

"You can also read more about what the World Handicap System is here."

"Finally, should you have any issues with the Scottish Golf App, you can contact us using the following form here and a member of our team will look into this for you."

CATRIONA MATTHEW TESTS NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19

Catriona Matthew tweets she is "COVID-19 free" after receiving 2 negative tests, following her positive test on arrival at this week's LET event in Dubai.

Europe's Solheim Cup captain, Catriona Matthews, was withdrawn from this week's OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic after a test on her arrival at the Emirates Golf Club on Monday showed up as positive.

The Scot was immediately placed into isolation, but she has since had two negative tests (24 hours apart), which means she is free to return home.

The Ladies European Tour (LET) has issued the following statement:

"In accordance with official guidelines and health and safety protocols put in place to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19, Annabel Dimmock, Catriona Matthew and Ursula Wikström have returned two negative COVID-19 tests (24 hours apart). As such, all three players are cleared by the Health Authorities and LET medical professionals to leave self-isolation."

"Contacts identified as part of the track and trace process will be managed in accordance with the Health Authorities guidelines and advice from LET medical professionals."

"In the current climate with a global pandemic, the health, safety, and wellbeing of the LET players, officials, and staff, is and remains, the LET’s number one concern. These are challenging times, but we are all responsible and have a role to play to stop the spread of COVID-19."

"We thank all the players, officials, and medical staff for displaying the highest levels of professionalism during this challenging time."

Catriona Matthew has since tweeted:

"I‘m happy to say I’m COVID-19 free (2 negative tests 24 hrs apart) & I’m heading home. Thank you @OMEGAGolfDubai & health authority for their support during this very stressful time & I look fwd to competing again soon. Thank you also to everyone for all their supportive messages."

MINJEE LEE WINS OMEGA DUBAI MOONLIGHT CLASSIC

World No 9, Minjee Lee, secured her 1st LET title after a dramatic play-off against Celine Boutier at the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic.

Seven time LPGA tour winner, Minjee Lee (AUS) carded a three-under 69 under the floodlights at Emirates Golf Club to finish on -10 under alongside Solheim Cup star Celine Boutier (FRA), who had led for most of the day until a late bogey saw her post a final-round 68.

Minjee Lee sealed victory with a clutch birdie putt from 20ft at the first extra hole in a thrilling shoot-out against Boutier in the Dubai moonlight.

After her win, Minjee Lee said:

"I couldn't really see the break too well on the last hole, but I thought it would be about two cups outside the right and luckily I hit it hard enough and it dropped. It feels pretty special to be here playing at night-time and the course has been amazing. It's been a really fun week."

Overnight leader, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) finished one shot behind the leaders, tied for 3rd on -9 with Laura Fuenfstueck (GER) and defending champion Nuria Iturrioz (ESP).

Two Scots earned themselves top ten spots after finishing with strong final rounds. Kelsey MacDonald (SCO) finished tied for 8th on -7 after closing with a four-under round of 68, while Kylie Henry (SCO) jumped into a tie for 10th on -6 after firing nine birdies and no bogeys in a course-record 63.

ACTION FROM FINAL DAY AT DUBAI MOONLIGHT CLASSIC

Watch the final day action at the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic for free on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.

Solheim Cup star Caroline Headwall (SWE) takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic.

The six-time Ladies European Tour winner added a bogey-free 70 to her first round score of 65 to finish on -9 and maintain a narrow one-shot lead over Meghan MacLaren (ENG). World No 9, Minjee Lee (AUS) is two strokes back in a share of third alongside Laura Fuenfstueck (GER) on -7.

Bronte Law (ENG) posted a second successive 70 to move inside the top-ten on -4, Charley Hull (ENG) got back to level-par for the tournament with a three-under 69, while Georgia Hall (ENG) is in the group on +1.

The leading Scot is Kelsey MacDonald (SCO), tied for 12th on -3.

ENGLISH GOLF CLUBS TOLD TO CLOSE FOR FOUR WEEKS

English golf clubs & driving ranges have been told they must close their facilities for four weeks from tomorrow, Thursday 5 November 2020.

England Golf's CEO, Jeremy Tomlinson, has confirmed that, despite intense lobbying of government from golf industry bodies, including England Golf and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, increased national lockdown measures will force the closure of golf clubs and facilities from tomorrow.

There was some cause for optimism after the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, encouraged people to get outdoors and exercise and said that people can meet up with one other person from outside their household.

However, after three days of challenging the government to keep courses and facilities open, the answer was no.

England Golf has now issued out an official statement to all affiliated clubs and facilities, which states as follows:

"It is with a feeling of deep regret that we must now inform all affiliated golf clubs and driving ranges that they should prepare to close from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December 2020."

"The Government engaged in detailed conversation, but has decided not to amend its original guidance and we would ask all clubs and golfers to respect the legislation that is set to come into force overnight."

You can read the full statement here.

JUNIOR WINTER SERIES NOVEMBER EVENT POSTPONED

The Junior Winter Series event at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, which was due to be held on Sunday 15 November, has been postponed.

The Winter Series Team has issued the following statement:

"F & R EVENT POSTPONED:"
"I have just emailed everyone with the disappointing news, but we think it makes sense at this challenging and difficult time. We hope, very much, to reschedule this event, if at all possible."

"Paul,"
"on behalf of the Winter Series Team"

The Winter Series Team continued:

"It will be administratively easier to hold on to all entry monies meantime. This will help when the (hopefully) rescheduled event takes place. If anyone wishes a refund, now, for this event, please contact me with your bank details."

"Further updates will be posted as soon as possible."

For further info and updates go to: @juniortourscotland

NEW JUNIOR WINTER SERIES EVENT AT WEST KILBRIDE

The fourth Junior Winter Series Order of Merit event has been confirmed as: 11th February 2021 at West Kilbride Golf Club.

Entries for the Junior Winter Series event at West Kilbride are open. Both girls and boys can enter. To find out more &/or enter go to the "Events" section on the Stephen Gallacher Foundation website at: http://sgfoundation.co.uk

The draws for the Fortrose & Rosemarkie event, which is due to be held on Sunday 15 November 2020, have been emailed out to all 95 competitors and are published on the Junior Tour Facebook page at: @juniortourscotland

CATRIONA MATTHEW TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID

Three LET Players, including Catriona Matthew, have withdrawn from the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic after testing positive for COVID.

The Ladies European Tour (LET) has issued the following statement:

"The Ladies European Tour has withdrawn Annabel Dimmock, Catriona Matthew and Ursula Wikström from this week’s OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic after the players tested positive for COVID-19."

"The LET has implemented a strict COVID-19 testing process throughout the season and the players, who had not, and have still not, exhibited any symptoms, were tested upon arrival into Dubai on Monday morning."

"The three players have followed all the LET guidance and protocols put in place to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and will now remain in self-isolation for a minimum of fourteen days in accordance with the mandatory Health Authority and medical professional guidelines."

"Contacts identified as part of the track and trace process will be managed in accordance with the Health Authorities guidelines."

Catriona Matthew has since tweeted:

"I have had to withdraw from the Omega Dubai moonlight Classic after unfortunately testing positive for COVID-19 on my arrival. I am feeling fine and have no symptoms. I would like to thank the @LETgolf @OMEGAGolfDubai for all their help and support."

SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATE ON COVID-19 GUIDANCE

Scottish Golf has issued a new COVID-19 update in response to the Scottish Government's new targeted Local Authority coronavirus restrictions.

The full statement issued by Scottish Golf today reads as follows:

"Following our email on Friday 30 October, Scottish Golf is now in a position to provide all affiliated clubs with further guidance relating to the Scottish Government’s COVID protection levels by local area. The latest version of our COVID-19 Guidance for Golf Clubs and Golfers can be accessed here."

"The updated guidance is summarised as follows and unless otherwise stated are effective immediately:"

• "On-course golf activities can continue under our current Phase 3 Guidance, with up to four players from four different households allowed to participate together. There are no changes to access to toilet facilities, locker rooms or professional shops which can continue to be utilised provided all appropriate measures, such as use of face masks, increased sanitation are adhered to."

• "You should avoid travel to other areas regardless of their level unless essential."

• "For exercise/sport – there is an exemption, however, it is limited:"

• "In tier 4, not permitted to drive outside your Local Authority area for exercise – you can cross boundaries in the process of exercising i.e if a golf course straddles two Local Authority area boundaries."

• "In tier 3, you are permitted to travel around 5 miles for exercise."

• "In tier 2 & tier 1, you are permitted to travel freely for exercise within your own Local Authority area."

• "U18s – can travel freely for exercise in Tiers 0-3. They should not travel in or out of a Tier 4 area."

• "All golfers should be aware of travel guidance outlined by the Scottish Government and this should always be followed."

• "Clubhouses and sports facilities which provide catering and bar services, can operate providing they adhere to Scottish Government guidance appropriate to the protection level in which they are operating."

"We would also like to remind clubs that following representations made by Scottish Golf on behalf of its member clubs, we are pleased to confirm that the Scottish Government has agreed hardship grants (outside the central belt) and closure grants (inside the central belt) will be accessible to sports clubhouses which are licensed to serve alcohol, and are therefore equivalent to bars that must close or modify their operations."

"Clubs can now apply for these grants here. Please note that applications for these grants close at 5pm on Tuesday 3rd November."

"Once again, we would like to thank all of our clubs and golfers across Scotland for your continued co-operation and adherence to the current guidance and ask that you continue to play your part during these challenging times."

"We will continue to keep all clubs and tournament organisers updated via our dedicated COVID-19 webpage which can be accessed here."