Golf club owner calls for courses to remain open if there’s a second wave

Comments

6 responses to “Golf club owner calls for courses to remain open if there’s a second wave”

1. 

   July 15, 2020

   Peter

   And there is the problem….In times of crisis, we don’t make these type decisions on our own, with our gut or because of a belief or feeling !! We must consult with our experts in the area, rely on data and stats and coordinate efforts with those in our communities ! Especially city and community officials !! Decision making is tough enough, tougher when people’s health and lives are on the line !!

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   1. 

      July 17, 2020

      Neil Sjoberg

      Unfortunately Peter it seems EG did make their decision on their own from their experience of Private members clubs I assume. Government guidance had most sensible clubs (like Epping) offering uniquely safe exercise for their communities. Clubhouses (rightly) were closed. EG should have supported us in this.Had they visited a few operating clubs who were acting sensibly and rising to the challenge totally withing government guidelines.
      Instead they were the only lead body ordering their sport to close down.

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2. 

   July 12, 2020

   Wardy

   I agree, people’s health and wellbeing must come before profit. However, careful controls can be out in place to allow golf in a second wave and preserve health and wellbeing. Golf England still take fees fron golf clubs do have preserved their income whilst furloughing mist if their staff. What I find unacceptable is Sport England giving a handout to a private profit making business and not to a members club who do not have owners or shareholders and simply exist to provide sport to their members and the community.

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   1. 

      July 16, 2020

      Neil Sjoberg

      Sadly,Wardy,in my long golfing career I have seen private members clubs veer away from providing purely golf:and increasingly spending on big clubhouses and expensive lounges (where infection is more likely). Facilities where golf is the main focus with very modest clubhouses (like Epping) provide the safest exercise in these tricky times. Money spent on such venues goes to sport not to hungry clubhouses.

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3. 

   July 11, 2020

   Stuart H

   Decisions such as opening and closing courses should be made purely on the grounds of public safety and not putting money in the Proprietors pocket. Having said that golf is better placed than most with the exception of the clubhouse. This is the only way we are going to beat this virus.

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   1. 

      July 17, 2020

      Neil Sjoberg

      You are so right Stuart. Golf must be one of the safest forms of exercise in these tough times. However any use of a clubhouse would negate such benefits.So many golf clubs ,with ageing membership have long ago spent too much on bigger clubhouse facilities and that has become an essential part of their golf experience.
      Why else then would EG have demanded “Golf Must close” -the only lead body to do so. They ,like too many private members clubs, see the clubhouse as “an essential income stream” inseparable from the provison of golf. They forget about the many tens of thousands of facilities where golf takes centre stage and the clubhouse is modest and hardly used in comparison.

      Reply