GOLF clubs in the area opened for business on the course again last week.

Knutsford Golf Club, Mobberley Golf Club and Woodside Golf Club in Holmes Chapel led the way, with the Mere Golf Resort and Spa following suit on Friday and Alderley Edge Golf Club on Saturday.

But it was at Styal Golf Club where the most incredible story unfolded at 9.04am on the day of golf’s return from the UK lockdown that was forced by the coronavirus pandemic.

Consider how you would feel to achieve your first ever hole-in-one, on the first hole of the course, on your first strike of the ball since courses were closed in mid-March.

That is how last Wednesday morning played out at Styal for Ed Sandison, a former marine conservationist and the founder of Ocean Tee Golf.

β€œI apologise to everyone who knows me as this is what I will be talking about for the next five years,” he Tweeted.

Tradition has it that the player who strikes an ace buys the drinks at the clubhouse bar after completing the last hole.

With social distancing and tight health and safety restrictions still in place, Ed got away with a very cheap round at the 19th hole!

Clubs across the county of Cheshire have reported being very busy as golfers sought a return to their passion.

And the chairman at Alderley Edge golf club, who took on car park marshalling duties as part of the reopening process on Saturday, revealed in a note to members that he was pleased with golfers’ response.

β€œI have to say that your overwhelming support during this difficult and strange period has been fantastic,” he said.

β€œ I hope you all understand that our decision to delay opening by a few days was based simply on a need for us to ensure all health and safety procedures could be applied.

β€œI am very pleased to report that we have had 24 new members since the golf ban was lifted on Wednesday.

β€œLet’s hope that continues and we see more new faces at the club. β€œ