Snow joke as golfers hit by ‘global cooling’
BARLBY: At Barlby High School is Selby Young Golfer of the Year Calum Finn, 15. (L4885TS) Picture: Tony Saxton
The arctic blast has forced Selby Golf Club to close for the second time in just over a year.
And the combination of what some scientists have controversially labelled ‘global cooling’ with the worldwide recession is having implications for the game generally.
It may have not escaped your notice that banners have been unfurled outside various clubs announcing that they are open to membership in sharp contrast to the days of better economic times when many had long waiting lists.
In fact the Selby club, a championship course with a great reputation, had waiting lists of up to ten years not that long ago, but there isn’t one now.
Instead, there’s a steady flow of new members coming in and others leaving. A couple of dozen have joined since Christmas but, with a similar amount resigning, membership holds at a steady 750 including 110 ladies and up to 100 juniors.
But it’s the snow that is most alarming and which led to the course’s closure for an entire month last winter.
Ann Dolan, who has been working with the administrative side of the club for 25 years, said: “Last year was exceptional – the first time we’ve had to do that for 20 years or so – and now this year too. Let’s hope it’s not a trend.
“But it’s beautiful to look at. We do get phone calls asking if they can play – golfers are nutcases!”
Because of the excellent drainage provided by its sandy soil, the course is never badly affected by wet periods. Ann explains that even when the 18th green is covered in water following a deluge, it drains within half-an-hour of its own accord.
For this reason the club long had a reputation of being open 365 days a year – until last winter’s snow hit.
Considering the season, business isn’t too bad as you generally have to take what the weather dishes out in English winters.
“But people are having to watch their pennies nowadays and golf is one of the things that go. Yet there’s still a brisk flow of applications for membership.”
Ann has thoroughly enjoyed her many years at the club since the lure of the Selby Coalfields drew her husband up here from Goldthorpe.
“It’s a lovely club and I wouldn’t have stayed so long if it wasn’t for the friendly members and the nice atmosphere. And our juniors too are lovely – polite and well-mannered.”
The Oaks Golf Club near Bubwith, meanwhile, has been hit by snow in a similar way but was hoping to have re-opened by the time we went to press.
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Weather for Goole
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
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