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Five golfers have been fined a total of £1,000 after being caught breaking lockdown rules in England.

The group were spotted playing at Bowring Park Golf Course near Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, despite the track currently being closed.

Golf courses in England have been shut since January 4 as part of tighter COVID-19 mitigation measures.

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Police issued each of the five men – all in their 20s and 30s – with £200 fixed penalty notices for breaching the regulations. Green fees at Bowring Park, reckoned to be the first municipal golf course in England, usually cost around £10.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, condemned the actions of the group.

“The rules can’t be clearer,” she said. “Stay at home unless it is for essential purposes such as to attend work or school.

“Bowring Park Golf course is closed in order to adhere to the current lockdown rules, so not only have the five golfers broken lockdown rules, they are also trespassing on the course.

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“I’m astounded that at the current time, when our Covid rates remain high, people think they can break the rules and get away with it.

“Thankfully, our police colleagues responded quickly and issued fixed penalty notices to those breaking the rules. Hopefully, this gives out a clear warning that the rules are there to be followed and action will be taken against those breaking them.”


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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