Popular Surrey golf club closes down during coronavirus pandemic

A popular Surrey golf club that was opened by English golf legend Tony Jacklin has sadly been forced into closure as a result of financial difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Rusper Golf Club in Dorking, which was opened to the public by the two-time major winner back in 1992, recently confirmed it will be losing its 18-hole course to farmland in early autumn. 

"We have one week to go and it is all getting very real," read the club's post on its Facebook page two weeks ago. 

"A big and very heartfelt thank you to those of you who have listened and stuck by me, you know who you are. I am not going far and I really hope we can keep in touch.

"To Grant and Aaron, there are no words to thank you enough for all you have done and I wish you both good luck and good fortune.

"I am in your debt, and now I am getting a lump in my throat so I think I will go and wash it down with a pint or two!

"Thank you everyone for the memories xx."

Rusper GC was an extremely well maintained golf course and was typically playable all-year round.

Measuring just over 6,700 yards from the white tees, the course was set amongst mature trees and featured several water hazards and challenging greens to make it a real test for the average golfer. 

"The vision of Rusper Golf was to create a course that was accessible to people of all ages and all walks of life," read a statement on the club's website. 

The closure marks a fourth golf club that has gone under in the UK during the COVID-19 crisis, following Brucefields Family Golf Centre in Stirling, Patsull Park in Wolverhampton and another course that Jacklin had close ties to in Magnolia Park Hotel & Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.