Some return to normality
Golf and tennis clubs prepare for Monday re-opening
GOLF AND tennis clubs throughout the county are gearing up this week for the return of some sense of normality.
In accordance with phase one of the government roadmap, limited activity will be permitted from next Monday, May 18.
And it means that at least some of the long-suffering public, denied their sporting fix since the Covid-19 restrictions were imposed, will be able to indulge in their favourite pastimes once again.
However, with travel still restricted to a five-kilometre radius, only those living very close to their club will be facilitated in this initial part of the government’s phased plans.
Carol O’Brien, Secretary of Rosslare Golf Club, stressed ‘we will be open to golf, subject to guidelines, but the clubhouse will remain closed’.
Meanwhile, John Meyler, the club P.R.O. in Wexford, urged all members to carefully read the strict conditions set out in the protocol agreed by the golfing authorities with the relevant government and health agencies.
They are available to be studied on www.golfnet.ie.
Bernie Morrissey, the Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club tennis captain, warmly welcomed the fact that players can get back to the sport they love, although understandably her enthusiasm is tempered by a dash of caution.
‘We’re absolutely delighted because in truth social distancing in tennis shouldn’t be that difficult. We were a bit disappointed when we were shut down, as were the golf courses, but it was inevitable it was going to happen, everything was shut down.
‘It’s great to be in the first phase of the re-opening of things. There is a hell of a lot of work involved in it as well, ensuring we’re providing the necessities for people to protect themselves. The virus has not gone away unfortunately,’ she said.
While golf and tennis enthusiasts have something positive to look forward to, the same cannot be said for the G.A.A. community after the national President, John Horan, addressed the main issues facing the organisation in a wide-ranging interview with Des Cahill on ‘The Sunday Game’ television programme.
The bottom line, delivered in a forthright manner by the Dubliner, is that games will not be played for as long as social distancing remains a requirement.
And even though Horan estimated the G.A.A. is facing a financial loss of €50m, he stressed the priority will always be the health and safety of all its members.
Hopes of a quicker return to games had heightened after comments made by Leo Varadkar in a television interview with Ryan Tubridy on Friday week, May 1.
Davy Fitzgerald told us last week that his players were ‘buzzing’ after hearing what they considered to be bright news, but Horan said ‘everyone was taken by surprise on Friday night because no one knew what was coming’.
He further explained that G.A.A. facilities will remain closed until July 20 at the earliest, because the risks involved in get-togethers prior to that date were too great.
The President was sceptical about the possibility of being able to finish the current National Leagues. And he said that the first two months of 2021 would be used to finish the 2020 championship if required.
THE GREEN light for Irish golf courses to re-open on Monday, May 18, could not have been more welcome for an increasingly frustrated bunch of golfers.
But with the roadmap having been provided by the government, the hard work for clubs begins just now as they lay preparations for their journey back from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Though Wexford golfers, like their counterparts throughout the country, met the announcement with relief and satisfaction, it must be noted that the restrictions on movement, social distancing and gatherings will remain.
And that means there is plenty of work to be done to ensure the sport plays its part in a measured return to everyday life.
Golf Ireland, the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union, and the Golf Union of Ireland, all warmly welcomed the announcement. Now it’s up to the industry and golfers alike to show the sport can play its part in rebuilding national wealth while ensuring the maintenance of its public health.
While golfers are very happy that they now have something to do, the clubs will be strictly adhering to the guidelines.
Rosslare Golf Club Secretary, Carol O’Brien, said they will follow everything that has been set out.
‘We will be open to golf, subject to guidelines, but the clubhouse will remain closed, while the Pro Shop will be open, adhering to social distance guidelines.
‘The five km will be strictly adhered to. This will hit us since it rules out members from Dublin and the like, while it also rules out many locals who live outside the five km.
‘I am outside the five km so will be unable to play golf, although I will be turning up for work. We are open to new members, and those interested can contact Claire Farrell on honsec@ rosslaregolf.com.’
As clubs continue their preparations for a return to play, Enniscorthy Golf Club have without doubt come up with one of the best promotions of any season.
They now have a membership deal for 2021 with a limited offer whereby you can join now, play now, and get membership until December 31, 2021.
For a full member, the fee is €749, while under-35 membership has a fee of €649. The offer is valid until July 31, and full details may be obtained by emailing info@enniscorthygc.ie.
Meanwhile, Wexford Golf Club P.R.O. John Meyler has stressed that it is up to each and every member to read the strict conditions set out in the protocol agreed by the G.U.I., the I.L.G.U., and the various relevant government and health authorities. They are available to be studied on www.golfnet.ie.
‘There are a number of information boxes on this site,’ John said. ‘The one that you are looking for is under the heading, “Unions publish protocol for golf’s safe return”, currently the first item on the first line of this site.
‘Please familiarise yourself with all of its contents and thereby know what you must do. There is also a duty on our club to see that the rules are implemented, and timesheets must be retained for a period of six weeks to enable them to be checked if this is requested,’ he added.
‘It is in everyone’s interest to behave themselves if we are to proceed to stage two of the return to golf which is scheduled to occur on June 8. It will be great to be back on the course, and hopefully the good weather will continue.’
While the easing of Covid-19 restrictions is welcomed by all, many will still be in place during the early stages of the government’s plan to gradually reduce the lockdown measures.
Many questions still remain unanswered, so this is a routine guide of what lies ahead.
Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions addressed by I.L.G.U., G.U.I. or Golf Ireland officials over the past week.
These are guidelines published by the R & A for a safe return to golf in the Covid-19 era.
Question: The two km from your home that is allowable for exercise has been extended to five km. Does this mean I can play golf within five km of home when phase one of the easing restrictions begin on May 18?
Answer: No. The G.U.I. and I.L.G.U. have already said that only club members will be allowed to play. Members living more than five km from their home club will have to wait until restrictions are eased further. As the I.L.G.U’s Sinéad Heraty said: ‘We would be advocating the five km limit for golf is maintained and that’s what government guidelines are saying.’
Question: I live within five km of my local club, can I pay a green fee?
Answer: No. All the latest comments from the governing bodies, which will be replaced by Golf Ireland in 2021, have been that golf will initially be restricted to members only and bookings must be made online. Members will be expected to self-police as they do with the rules of golf.
Question: I live within 20 km of my club. When can I play again?
Answer: The restriction on exercise will be extended from five km to 20 km during phase two which begins on June 8.
Question: What about the golfers who live more than 20 km from their club which is the norm in rural areas?
Answer: It is expected that golfers living more than 20 km from their club will be able to play their course from July 20 when phase four of the roadmap is implemented.
Question: Will I be able to use the clubhouse from May 18?
Answer: No. In principle, clubhouses, bars and restaurants will be closed during the early stages of the easing of restrictions.
Question: Can I use the toilets at the club?
Answer: Limited essential access may be allowed by the club/facility. This will be clarified by the club.
Question: I am a member and I live within five km of my club. Can I just turn up at my club and play on May 18?
Answer: No. You must book online beforehand.
Question: Will fourballs be permitted?
Answer: That’s uncertain. While the government has said that from May 18 up to four people who don’t live together can meet outdoors while keeping at least two metres apart, we will have to wait until the official protocol is published to find out.
Question: Can golfers 70 or over play on May 18?
Answer: No. The over 70s have been advised to only leave their homes in limited circumstances. For people who are cocooning, the public health advice is to continue to do so. However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said ‘it will still be possible to go for a walk or a drive within five km of your home if you avoid all contact with other people’.
Question: What kind of health and safety measures are likely on the golf course or at the club?
Answer: Mark Kennelly, C.E.O. of Golf Ireland, said that golfers will not be touching rakes or flagpoles. While flagsticks can be retained, the R & A recommends that a sign is put on the flagstick stating that it is not to be touched. Rakes will also be removed from bunkers, and golfers will be encouraged to smooth prints as best they can.
Question: Will social distancing rules apply?
Answer: Yes. Golfers will be required to comply with the rules on social distancing throughout. Some temporary provisions concerning the rules of golf will also be necessary to ensure safe play.
Question: Will I be able to use drinking fountains and benches, for example?
Answer: No. While the official protocol has yet to be published, the R & A recommends that ball washers and drinking fountains are to be covered up and benches and bins removed, covered or signposted in such a way that players don’t touch them. All other removable items are to be removed, except that stakes defining areas of the course can be treated by players as immovable obstructions.
Question: What about picking the ball out of the hole?
Answer: The hole liner can be inserted in such a way that all of the ball does not fall below the surface of the putting green and can easily be retrieved by handling the ball away.
Question: Can I use the practice grounds or practice net?
Answer: The R & A recommends to governing bodies that practice areas, including practice nets, are to be closed unless safe sanitising practices can be guaranteed.
Question: Will I be able to mark my partner’s card?
Answer: No. No competitions, only casual play, will be permitted during the early stages of golf’s re-opening.
Question: What will happen when competition returns? Can I mark my partner’s card then?
Answer: No. The R & A has said that it is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place. It is not necessary to physically return a scorecard to the committee provided the committee can accept the scores in another way. As provided in the rules of golf, scorecards can be electronic, which could include emailing or texting scores to the committee.
Question: Will other concessions on rules be allowed while restrictions remain in place?
Answer: Yes. To minimise the need to lift the ball from the hole when competition resumes, the R & A had made some recommendations.
They say that the committee may provide that a ball is holed if it is within twelve inches of the hole, which is just over the length of a standard putter grip.
This does not prevent a player in match play conceding a stroke that is outside this length.
The committee may decide to have the hole liner sitting about the surface of the green and treat a ball as holed if it strikes the liner.