The government has identified an urgent need to introduce new restrictions on public life and on non-essential businesses opening their doors.

This has been done to limit the spread of the coronavirus and relieve the growing pressure on our National Health Service.

Keeping golf courses open is simply no longer compatible with the updated policy of government which is designed to save lives in a time of national emergency.

The health and wellbeing of the nation is the only consideration that matters at this moment in our history.

These are incredibly testing times for the country. The golf industry cannot be shielded from the economic and social ramifications caused by this temporary shutdown of normal life.

We would like to assure the golfing community that England Golf staff will continue to work remotely with all affiliated golfers, clubs and counties to try and minimise the damage caused by this suspension of regular golf club life.

We will continue to signpost clubs and counties to the latest government advice and schemes designed to help the economy cope with the disruption caused by coronavirus.

After much consultation between the executive, and following guidance from governing bodies et al, we have regrettably decided to POSTPONE the East Riding Union Dinner until further notice as a result of the COVID 19 crisis. The consensus was that we had little choice but to make this decision.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and hope that we will be given the opportunity to rearrange at a later date.

What is Safe Golf?

SafeGolf is a partnership of UK golf bodies committed to promoting a safe and positive environment for all those participating, working and volunteering in the sport of golf.

As part of England Golf's commitment to SafeGolf, all Unions, clubs and golf bodies must become SafeGolf certified by 2021, and the ERUGC is one of the first Unions in the country to do so, after the Yorkshire Union was the first county to achieve the award.

A big thank you to Phil Woodcock who has worked hard on achieving this award for the Union.

The photo to the left is of our President Chris Clarkson receiving the SafeGolf Certificate from Rob Moore, England Golf Club Support Officer for the North of England.

If your club is not working towards SafeGolf, or needs help in doing so please contact Rob at rob.moore@englandgolf.org as this will be a requirement of your affiliation to England Golf in 2021.

Hornsea have now confirmed their status as the East Riding’s top scratch team by winning both ERUGC Scratch League Finals at Ganton Golf Club on Tuesday 27th August 2019.

Drawn against Scarborough North Cliff in the main final, Hornsea’s team of three plus handicap players certainly on paper seemed to have the edge.

In the top match Jack Maxey (+2), this season’s Yorkshire Under-18 Captain, was up against his County colleague Tom Duck playing off one.

Duck has dual membership at North Cliff and Ganton and his knowledge of the nuances of the championship course proved to be pivotal as he got the better of his County Captain by 4 and 2.

That was close as North Cliff got to springing a surprise as Hornsea’s strength in depth saw them home.

In the second match this season’s Union Open Champion Nick Raybould prevailed over Andy Allcock (3), with the plus one man having to pull out all the stops before edging home on the 17th green by 3 and 1.

In the decider experienced County player Luke Robinson (+1) was up against 14-year-old Tommy Risker (4).

Risker has proved one of the success stories in this season’s Union Under 18 team and is one to watch for the future but at Ganton this week he was just outgunned by the hugely experienced Robinson, who won by 5 & 3 ensuring Hornsea added more silverware to their trophy cabinet.

Despite the defeat Risker will long savour his day at Ganton as on the par-three 158-yard fifth hole his crisply struck 8 iron shot flew straight and true into the cup for his first golfing career hole in one.

In the Plate Final Hornsea B faced Beverley A with the Westwood club having England Senior International Richard Norton (+2) playing at one in the order.

Up against Norton was Tom Broadley (2), who has this season proved his worth in East Riding’s Union team.

The disparity of four in the handicaps was never evident as in a ding dong match the pair shook hands on the 18th green with the match level.

In match 2 it was Beverley’s Ian Goldie (3) who just got the better of Andy Fox (4) winning on the last hole.

Match No 3 pitched Sam Middleton (5) against Beverley’s Theo Blake (4) and it was Middleton’s day as he proved too strong, the Westwood teenager winning by 6 and 5.

With the match tied a sudden death decider was required with Richard Norton and Tom Broadley heading down the first hole in fading light and a storm brewing in the distance, it was the Hornsea man who held his nerve, his birdie three enabling the seasiders to round off a memorable Scratch League season.