Golfers greet easing of lockdown by teeing off a minute after midnight

29 March 2021, 06:30 | Updated: 29 March 2021, 08:20

Golfers teed off just after midnight on Monday morning
Golfers teed off just after midnight on Monday morning. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

A group of golfers have greeted the easing of England's lockdown measures by hitting the fairways shortly after midnight.

Seven teams teed off at around 12:01am at the Morley Hayes Golf Club, near Derby.

They used luminous golf ball and floodlit greens to help them on their opening drives.

Golf is among the outdoor activities which can now take place in England after some coronavirus restrictions were lifted on Monday morning.

Read more: PM urges public to 'remain cautious' as England lockdown eases

Read more: UK passes 30 million first doses of Covid-19 vaccine

The idea for the nocturnal tee-off was made on a whim
The idea for the nocturnal tee-off was made on a whim. Picture: PA

Courses are now free to reopen along with football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, and outdoor swimming pools.

The seven-hole tournament was held to raise funds for the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre

Andrew Allsop, managing director of Morley Hayes Golf Club, said the decision to go ahead with the nocturnal tee-off was made "on a whim".

Read more: Met Police warn against 'complacency' ahead of lockdown relaxation

Watch: 21une is 'not great day of liberation PM making it out to be', expert tells LBC

The golfers used glow-in-the-dark balls and floodlit greens
The golfers used glow-in-the-dark balls and floodlit greens. Picture: PA

He said: "It filled instantly, there was so much interest because I don't think there are any places in England that do night golf and we obviously want to try and get in the records that we're the first ones to reopen on 29 March.

"I think the buzz has been made even buzzier because it's such great weather forecast this week. All the fair-weather golfers, everyone's out and the tees booked from Monday morning first light, 6:30am, right through... and it's like that all week.

"We've been shut six months out of 12 so it's been very difficult but we'll survive and good times are ahead and like Captain Tom (Moore) said, tomorrow's another day, so I'm looking forward to it."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The 64-year-old previously revealed he was days from death before undergoing surgery

Jeremy Clarkson issues major health update after life-changing surgery as he tells fans he is 'better than ever'

US Capitol Police arrested a man on Tuesday

Man arrested at US Capitol for 'smelling like fuel and bringing a flare gun and a torch', police say

Israeli PM Netanyahu has fired his defence minister Yoav Gallant.

Israeli PM Netanyahu fires defence minister Yoav Gallant in surprise announcement

Donald Trump after casting his vote on Tuesday

Donald Trump claims he's 'very confident' of victory in US election race after casting his ballot

Conor McGregor has been accused of raping and choking a woman in a Dublin hotel

Conor McGregor accused of raping and choking woman after snorting cocaine

The ex-Manchester City footballer married Stephen Darby in 2018, a few months before he was diagnosed with the condition

Ex-Lioness captain Steph Houghton reveals husband's 'life-changing' operation amid MND battle

Underground train, Barbican Tube Station, Smithfield, England, United Kingdom

Tube drivers call off planned London Underground strikes after improved pay offer

Playa de los Pocillos puerto del carmen Lanzarote, Canary Islands, spain

British tourist, 34, found dead on beach in Lanzarote

Trump and Harris go head to head

US Election night guide: What time do polls close and who is favourite to win?

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had only just turned 12 when he took part in the violent disorder

Britain's youngest rioter: Boy who had just turned 12 sentenced for involvement in violent disorder

The 170-metre red bridge over wetlands in Canada Water, south-east London, opened last week

Security guards to stop cyclists from using bright red ‘wildlife boardwalk’ at £3.3bn London housing development

Rubert Gispin was visiting flood-hit parts of his native Valencia

Spanish influencer defends ‘shameful’ decision to deliberately cover himself in mud in Valencia’s flood damaged streets

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Father claims he begged to save Sara Sharif before being told ‘Leave it, she’s dead’

Queen Camilla is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week

The Queen withdraws from engagements this week after being taken ill, Buckingham Palace announces

Tesco customers are furious after being forced to wait hours to book a Christmas delivery slot.

'It's like getting Beyonce tickets': Fury as Tesco shoppers face 'ridiculous' online queues for Christmas delivery slots

Ladbaby has broken its silence on historic allegations of gripping.

Charity chart-topper Ladbaby breaks his silence on 'groping' allegations