Golfers and dog walkers are hardly a match made in heaven – yet they’re co-existing perfectly on the recently reopened Berkhamsted Common.
Ramblers and dog walkers were able to take their daily exercise without needing to exercise caution when crossing Berkhamsted’s world-famous golf course from March 24 to mid-May, as the golf course was closed.
After seven weeks’ closure during the COVID-19 outbreak, Berkhamsted Golf Club members were allowed to play once more on their beloved golf course, which is ranked inside England’s Top 100 best.
In mid-May the golfers were back and, perhaps surprisingly, their return was welcomed by regular visitors to the beauty spot.
Dog owner Gerard Sampson, 74, who walks his seven year-old Cavapoo Tilly on the golf course each day alongside his wife, said: “It is nice to see things are back to normal because golfers and walkers generally get along very well up here on the Common.
“After almost two months’ absence it was good to see the return of the golfers. I think we all want to feel as if life is returning to the way it used to be, however gradually. The Common is a fantastic place and we have been so blessed to have it on our doorstep to use during the lockdown, while others haven’t been as fortunate.”
Berkhamsted’s Club captain-elect Ian Carlile said: “During the COVID crisis many more people than usual have been getting their exercise on the Common, including the golf course. When golf restarted, we had marshals out on the golf course for the first fortnight, for people’s safety, just to warn them which way to look at key points. It was a wonderful restart.”
“There is frequent banter between golfers and walkers of course, but everybody shows each other respect” said Gerard Sampson. “Like many dog owners who use the golf course we have trained Tilly to act properly when golfers are nearby.”
Picture courtesy of Ben Hunter
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