Golf courses must close from midnight

The golfing authorities are now hoping that driving ranges and practice facilities may continue to open, and have "sought clarity" on this

Courses, such as Douglas Golf Club, were allowed reopen on May 18 in the first phase of the government's easing of lockdown measures but now must close again. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Golf courses across Ireland will have to close from midnight tonight under Level 5 restrictions, it has been confirmed.

The game's governing bodies, the GUI and ILGU, had been involved in "intensive engagement" with the Government in the past two days about the possibility of golf receiving an exemption.