MEMBERS STAYED LOYAL WHEN TRAVEL BAN KICKED-IN 

WILLIE MacKay took over the captaincy at Royal Dornoch in August 2020 with the club continuing to face challenges unprecedented in its proud history. 

His term in office has ended with demand for playing the Championship Course higher than ever and the town enjoying the financial benefits of golf tourism. 

Now, having handed over the reins at the annual meeting to Dornoch native Professor David Bell, Willie has reflected on an eventful two-year term in office.  

“The council of management and then club captain Rob Murray put a Covid plan in place in March 2020,” he recalled. 

“We were determined to protect our staff and we had hoped to be back to normal by June or July. Little did we know what lay ahead of us. Unfortunately, we were still dealing with the fall-out when I took over as captain in August of that year. 

“We were keen to enable the clubhouse to remain open as far as possible within government regulations which allowed local members to play their golf. 

“For the first time, apart from the war years, the Carnegie Shield couldn’t be played in 2020. That puts things firmly in perspective. 

“The response of our members during Covid was remarkable. They stood by us, whether they lived in and around the town or elsewhere in the country and far beyond. 

“Given the demand for golf here post-Covid, we have actually had to introduce a moratorium on new members being admitted. Many golfers playing here for the first time finish their round and enquire about membership. 

“Our foreign-based membership knew travel bans would prevent them getting to Dornoch when the pandemic struck but they took a pragmatic, longer-term view. It has been great to hear all the different accents in and around the clubhouse again. 

“We continued to invest in our winter maintenance programmes on the courses during the pandemic and that has paid off. Royal Dornoch’s Championship Course has moved up to third spot in the Golf Digest rankings. 

“The golf club and the town have always been closely interlinked and it has been a very busy summer for businesses, with visitors returning in their droves. I’m glad to say the buzz is definitely back in Dornoch. 

“The club was thrilled to host the Senior Amateur Championships for the R&A and the feedback was fabulous from competitors. 

“It was especially gratifying to hear the favourable comments about the Struie. which is a top links course in its own right and moving up the rankings. 

“Members have always appreciated it presents a different type of challenge from the Championship Course but I’m glad to say word is beginning to spread.  

“I am delighted to have handed over the captaincy baton to new captain Professor David Bell and the Council of Management has welcomed some fresh faces on board to continue delivering the Royal Dornoch experience.”