GOLFERS across west and north Wiltshire were able to hit the greens for the first time in two months on Wednesday (May 13).

Restrictions on angling and tennis for exercise were also lifted for the first time in more than 50 days.

More than 200,000 golfers across the country hit the greens as the majority of England’s 1,800 clubs re-opened.

They were able to play for the first time since the lockdown restrictions were introduced back in mid-March.

Kevin Wilford, a member at Kingsdown Golf Club, the oldest in Wiltshire, was one of those who was delighted to be able to play again.

He said: "I'm like a kid at Christmas. The course was closed for 51 days.

"During these difficult times, it was reassuring to see so many smiling faces up at Kingsdown Golf Club this morning to greet the dawn chorus.

"With the 'baby steps' taken to start to unwind the lockdown legislation, golf clubs in England have been give the green light to reopen their courses - obviously with a new strict protocol. "Golfers at Kingsdown in Corsham were just happy to be out on the course playing golf," said Mr Wilford, who lives in Bath Road, Bradford on Avon.

Mr Wilford, who used to work in financial services and private banking, has been a member at Kingsdown Golf Club for ten years.

He plays the 18-hole "two or three times" a week and says the club will be working hard to attract new members to add to the 500 who are already members.

"At Kingsdown, everybody seems to have worked incredibly hard to get the 18-hole course open, with barely any notice period."

He played the course on Wednesday with club chairman Jamie Kyd who said: “Our greenkeepers, office staff and everybody attached to the club have worked tirelessly to ensure we were able to take advantage, once an easing of the lockdown rules was announced.

"The course has never looked better and it is amazing that within 48 hours we are prepared and ready to go.”

Other golf clubs in west and north Wiltshire also re-opened including Cumberwell Park Golf Club at Bradford on Avon, Marlborough Golf Club at Marlborough, the North Wilts Golf Club at Bishops Cannings near Devizes, Ogbourne Downs Golf Club at Ogbourne St George near Marlborough, and the West Wilts Golf Club at Warminster.

Some clubs - such as North Wilts and Ogbourne Downs - are restricting play to members-only and players are having to observe strict social distancing rules on the courses.