The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Greenkeepers get back to work after week of uncertainty
IN what could have potentially been a major blow to golf courses around Ireland and, indeed, Irish tourism, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland (GCSAI) on Monday of last week recommended that Irish greenkeepers do not attend work, in compliance with HSE and government policy.
The Association said in their statement that since the public health measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 were introduced and subsequent guidelines were published, they had been working tirelessly with the Irish golfing bodies to seek clarification on whether golf course maintenance would be permissible during this period.
In spite of their best efforts, the GCSAI had not received clarification and were therefore recommending that all Irish greenkeepers follow, and strictly comply with, HSE and government policy on the issue.
However, within 24 hours the Government agreed that course maintenance may be considered an essential service, and greenkeepers were able to return to work, much to the relief of everybody in the golfing and tourism industries.
Can you imagine the problems arising if golf courses were left without being maintained for a number of weeks or months at this time of the year.
I’m no expert, but I would imagine it could take several months or possibly a year to get courses right again, and particularly the greens, so imagine the fallout for the tourism industry in Ireland and especially here in Kerry where we depend so much on golf tourism?
Last year alone, 200,000 overseas golfers visited Ireland generating an estimated €450 million for the economy and creating 1.5 million bed-nights for hotels and accommodation providers, according to figures from Tourism Ireland.
I’m a positive thinker and I can see an end to this current emergency which could still give the country three or four months of a golfing and tourism season, so it’s comforting to know that our courses will be there in tip top condition waiting for the return of play when it does eventually happen.