The Competitions Committee met once again today (Tues 2nd March) to review the Season’s future in the light of the government’s continued position that golf in groups of four is not allowed. With no movement in the government’s position this week, and no further change likely before the end of March, the decision was taken to declare the season void.

This follows the plans set out as early as last September, and underlined again in November, that in the event the fixtures could not continue we would first drop back to a “half season” (in which each team would play each other team once only), with promotion and relegation restricted to one team, and if we failed to complete the “half season” the league was to be declared void with no promotion or relegation.

Sadly that is the position we now find ourselves in. The committee considered a possible extension into April, but recognised that all clubs in the County are now focused on the return to golf in the weeks and months ahead, and their first priority, quite understandably, will be to accommodate their own members.

The League is grateful for the support of all clubs throughout the very difficult 2020-21 season in arranging and then (frequently) rescheduling match fixtures. It is just unfortunate this effort was not quite enough to allow us to complete the competition.

We all hope to see the return of competitive golf before too long, and wish all league players the best for their summer golf season.

Gifford added a win over Glen on Sunday to the two home draws they have already recorded this term, moving quietly into 2nd place, despite carrying a penalty forward from last season.
And Peter Imrie’s team have cause for confidence, after coming through their opening three league fixtures undefeated for the first time in five years.
But the challenge is set to get stiffer in the weeks ahead, with leaders Musselburgh the next visitors due at Gifford before Imrie’s team face their first away assignment at North Berwick at the end of the month.

North Berwick opened their campaign with a walkover on their home patch after a positive test for coronavirus kept Musselburgh Old away. Visiting skipper Scott Greig was forced to pull his team out of the contest when a team member received a positive result to his COVID test after playing golf with several teammates on Saturday.
Meanwhile Musselburgh recorded a convincing 5-0 win at home to Glen, winning all five ties by the sixteenth green. The result sees Calum Burgess’s team go top of the table and on course for a quick return to the top flight.
Gifford returned a second draw from two starts this season, this time at home to Winterfield. That meant a first point on the board for the visitors, who lost out narrowly on the road in each of their first two matches. However Graham Davidson and Gordon Davidson won for a third time for Winterfield, keeping their place on top of the Division’s player performance table.

Winterfield fought hard in each of their opening matches of the season, away to Glen and Musselburgh. But ultimately they lost out narrowly each time, and they find themselves propping up the table.
And there will be more challenges ahead for Graham Davidson’s side who travel to Gifford and North Berwick next, before an extended run of home matches starting on 22nd Nov.
Meantime Glen and Musselburgh top the table, and these two are set to meet next time out on 25th October. North Berwick start their campaign that day at home to Musselburgh Old.