BEST friends Joe Rowan and Gary Tolland were up at the crack of dawn to be the first to play a round at Cardross Golf Club in more than two months after Scotland's coronavirus lockdown restrictions were eased on Friday.

Within five minutes of the announcement on Thursday by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that non-contact solo sports, including golf, would be permitted, every one of the tee-off times at the popular course was booked up until 8pm on the first day of the eased lockdown limits.

Joe, in the black shirt, and Gary, in the green, brought an end to one of the longest periods of closure in the history of the renowned championship course, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

The only other time it was closed for so long was during the Second World War, when German bombs fell on the course by accident during the nearby Clydebank Blitz of 1941.

Graeme Dixon, club secretary,  said: “We are delighted to be opened again.

"The support from our members has been magnificent and there is huge demand to get back on the course to celebrate our 125th Anniversary year.

"Our green keeping staff have done a wonderful job during lockdown ensuring that the course is in amazing condition and we have taken every precaution to ensure that our members are as safe from coronavirus as possible.”