Golf courses will be permitted to open from April 26th, while adhering to specific protocols. These have been drafted and are now being finalised before being sent to clubs and published so that players can become familiar with them.
“We welcome the fact that golf, along with tennis, will be the first sports which will open from April 26th,” said a statement from Golf Ireland issued last night.
“While this is some weeks away, we look forward to members having the opportunity to exercise and play golf in a safe manner.”
“Following intensive engagement with the Department of Sport and Sport Ireland, Golf Ireland has drafted a Return to Golf Protocol to assist clubs in their preparation for the resumption of play. Now that the resumption of golf has been confirmed, this will be finalised in consultation with the relevant authorities and issued to clubs as soon as possible.”
“Golf Ireland’s priority continues to be the safe resumption of all golfing activities at the earliest possible opportunity. We look forward to continuing to engage with the relevant departments and agencies in the coming days and weeks to progress, as quickly as the public health situation will allow, the full return of all activities associated with our sport, as well as a comprehensive calendar of inter-club events and championships over the coming months.”
It can be a thankless task being a sporting administrator and officials would be best advised to have turned away from social media last night where the reaction from a vocal minority was that this was a failure and that clubs should have been opened up for golf in the current sunny weather.
Logical discussion and reason are easier in person than on the end of a Twitter account, but accusations that Golf Ireland had somehow failed members by not being the only form of social activity to be given a formal stamp of approval when numbers of infection remain higher than hoped for and the vaccination roll-out programme slower, suggests that perhaps the ability to hit a small white ball along a patch of manicured grass has somehow altered their perception of reality.
The protocols will likely be based on those that kept the sport open during the period of freedom last summer and autumn and while there will be restrictions on the number of players and the timings of play, they will be temporary and an important first step on the road back to normality.
We commend golf clubs and members for their track record of compliance with the Return to Golf Protocol, which has significantly contributed to golf being one of the first sports to resume. We urge all club officials and members to familiarise themselves with the Protocol when released so that we can all play our part keeping our members and communities safe.
Sport for Business Partners
