The golf industry in Wales has been given an advanced notification that courses can reopen from mid May provided certain rules are followed, if there is a relaxation of the lockdown on May 7, according to the Daily Mail.
The paper states that it is likely that the guidance will apply to the whole of the UK and not just Wales, and that more information will be coming in the next few days.
The rules that must be followed include a strict adherence to social distancing.
Wales Golf has made it clear, however, that ‘nothing has been agreed’.
The article in the Daily Mail states that ‘golf clubs in Wales will be allowed to reopen next month if there is a relaxation of the lockdown on May 7.
‘Clubs in Wales have been told there is a realistic prospect of being allowed to reopen by the middle of May, albeit with a stringent list of conditions.
‘Advance notice has been given, to allow clubs in Wales to prepare for what will be a radically different version of club life. But the fact there is cause for optimism will provide a massive boost in itself to the tens of thousands of golfers for whom playing the game is an integral part of their existence.’
Only social golf will be allowed, and in no more than two-balls. Bookings will need to be made online and at least a 10-minute gap will be required between tee times. It is likely that clubhouses will remain closed, apart from the use of bathroom facilities.
All this remains contingent on the government deciding it is on top of the Covid-19 pandemic sufficiently to move to the next phase.
The article doesn’t state who has given the guidance, or even who to, and according to the chief executive of Wales Golf, Richard Dixon, nothing has been agreed so far.
“Nothing has either been agreed or announced regarding a date golf can re-start in Wales or the protocols which will need to be strictly adhered to once it does,” he said in a statement.
“Wales Golf’s position remains consistent with when the current restrictions were put in place in that it is fully supportive of the current government directives / advice. We will continue to work closely with the R&A, other GB&I golf bodies and relevant government departments in developing and agreeing the necessary protocols to help ensure that golf is as ready as it can be to re-start when it is deemed safe to do so by the appropriate authorities.”
It does, however, follow a trend in recent days, including most recently featuring the UK’s culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, who has said he is looking at data on whether golf courses can reopen in the first wave of the easing of lockdown restrictions. Less than a week before the full lockdown was implemented, the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said golf was an allowable activity provided golfers socially distance. Since then, a world expert on viral diseases has singled out golf as a game that can be played in the current environment, and golf courses around the world, including even in New York, have reopened. Various products have also been launched in the UK in April to ensure the game can be played with golfers sticking to social distancing rules, such as flags that do not need to be touched by hands and rakes that can be used to sweep bunkers without different people touching them.
In England, its governing body England Golf is waiting for the official green light. Jeremy Tomlinson, chief executive of England Golf, has prepared a guidance pamphlet called Play Safe, Stay Safe that will be issued to all clubs once the go-ahead is given.
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