Golf ready to tee-off once again
By Shane Brophy
Golf clubs in the Republic of Ireland can resume activity from next Monday, 18th May under the Irish government’s Roadmap for Reopening of Society and Business once they follow the protocol jointly published by the GUI and ILGU.
This protocol is the basis on which the Unions and Golf Ireland sought the inclusion by the Government of the resumption of golf in Phase 1 of its Roadmap.
In terms of restarting next Monday, only club members within a 5km limit can play and they must book their tee-off time in advance online or over the phone. Any players under the age of 18 must play with an adult.
There will be strict tee-off time restrictions with 3-balls going out at fourteen minute intervals, 2-balls at twelve minute intervals or individual players at ten minute intervals. The flag or flagstick are not to be touched while rakes have been removed from bunkers and players will have to smooth them with their feet or club.
Only casual golf will be allowed for the first three weeks with members only club competitions coming in phase 2 from June 8th while Open competitions such as Scratch Cups will be allowed from June 29th as part of phase 3.
Clubhouses will remain closed except for the pro-shop (which is for check-in only) while locker room facilities will only be accessible for the use of the toilet and retrieval of golf equipment.
Club members that are ill or have virus like symptoms are asked to stay away from their respective club as with golf being one of the first sports to be allowed to resume, there is a major responsibility on golf clubs and golfers to ensure that our sport is conducted in a safe and responsible manner and golf clubs around Tipperary have been putting their own plans in place, including Nenagh with club secretary Jim Sheridan outlining their guidelines.
“The management committee have established a couple of working groups,” he revealed.
“One of which will come up with guidelines for the carpark, the check-in process and another group will regulate the first tee and generally act as rangers to ensure that people that are playing are all paid up members and that nobody is coming in and playing without booking their slot.”
He added: “Everybody has to be logged onto our BRS system, all of our members would be familiar with that. Through that you will get your tee-time. People have to be on time-sheet as if subsequently a person contracts Covid-19 and has played that we can provide all the details to the HSE for contact tracing.
“You will have to arrive no earlier than fifteen before the allocated time. Players will have to come dressed for play but anyone whose clubs are in the locker room have to make arrangements with Tom Doheny to play in advance.”
“Players will have five minutes on the putting green following check-in before going to the first tee five minutes before the alloted time and the starter will tell you when you can proceed.
“We will have volunteers right throughout the day, one will regulate the tee and the other will steward the car park to ensure people aren't going to other parts of the course.”
With all clubs now requiring stewarding, there will be restricted hours for play with Nenagh to confirm theirs by the end of the week while online booking for next Monday will be open from Friday morning.
However, Nenagh Golf Club are keen to stress that its members should adhere to the government guidelines when it comes to travelling to the club.
“The advice to members is that they should adhere to the 5km regulation,” added Jim Sheridan.
“We are not suggesting anything other than following the government guidelines. The one thing we will advise members strongly on is to travel individually, unless they are travelling with a member of the same family unit.”
With four golf clubs in the country having gone to the wall since the Covid-19 shutdown, that Golf is in the very privileged position to be allowed to resume at this stage provides an opportunity to attract new members with team sports still some time away from resuming.
“We have had quite a number of new members joining in the last few weeks and we would welcome more of them,” added the Nenagh club secretary.
“There are starter rates for people under the age of thirty, and for people who might play other sports who may not they not get an opportunity and this might be an opportunity to stretch the legs.”