The Stewartry is set for a super weekend of sport in the sunshine.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has rubber stamped the first phase of easing the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
That includes allowing a number of outdoor sports – such as tennis, fishing, bowls and golf – to resume.
And sport-starved players are set to grasp the opportunity to return to action with both hands.
Dalbeattie Tennis Club president Keith Thom said: “Everybody is looking forward to get going again.
“Tennis Scotland and the Scottish Government have been working quite closely together. I’m confident from Thursday we will be able to start playing again and I think lots of sports will be the same.
“I think for people’s mental and physical wellbeing anyone who was involved before is wanting to get involved again.”
Sports clubs have been closed since March when the country went into lockdown in a bid to stem the tide of Covid-19.
In England, activities such as golf were allowed to resume earlier this month but the Scottish Government delayed easing restrictions amid concerns it could lead to a second wave of the virus if it acted too soon.
A four phase routemap out of lockdown was published last week with the first stage being given the green light this afternoon.
And that’s good news for Kirkcudbright Golf Club which has been swamped with bookings as players look to return to the fairways.
Captain Rod McAllister said: “The tee time booking system has been set up and we’ve got eight hours of tee times booked already.
“I think it will be quite busy for the first couple of weeks because people are desperate to play. We won’t be having any competitions but I can’t imagine that will be the case for too long.”
Clubs are taking a number of precautions to ensure they don’t contribute to a second wave with social distancing being enforced, booking systems in place and sanitiser being provided.
Dalbeattie Angling Association chairman and secretary Will Marshall said: “It’s quite exciting. We’re hoping to have both the river and the reservoir back open, possibly from Thursday.
“Our membership numbers had quite a boost with the reservoir and it would be good if we can capitalise on that and have some fishing.
“It will be good for people in these lockdown days to get out and do something and it’s not going to contribute to the virus in a significant way. If fishing is allowed, it is incumbent on every individual to follow the guidelines.”
While it’s good news for some activities, others have to wait a little longer with no firm date yet for sports such as football and rugby.
And some clubs that are allowed to re-open aren’t rushing back. The committees at Castle Douglas and New Abbey Bowling Clubs have decided they won’t be re-opening until the second phase of the routemap at the earliest after reviewing guidance from governing body Bowls Scotland.
It states that facilities such as clubhouses should remain closed and anyone over 70 should remain at home.
“I’ve asked all the clubs to get back to me to let me know what their plans are.”
