ONE SMALL STEP FOR PEOPLE...

...one giant leap for golfers and tennis players!

IT might be one small step for people in general next Monday morning but it will be a giant leap for sport as golf and tennis clubs partially reopen for social play only as Phase 1 of the lockdown lifting swings into action.

While not competitive sport, the move still brings a glimmer of hope to the stranded population of Co. Wicklow that some sort of normality will return sooner rather than later and swinging either a golf club or a tennis racket will be a welcome break from the monotony of recent times.

Golf courses and tennis courts will open on Monday morning next, May 18, with the majority having implemented drastic changes to how their venues are operated.

Wicklow Tennis Club uploaded a very helpful video on their Facebook page to inform members of what they can expect when they arrive.

There will be a one-way system for players and helpful yellow markers on the ground to assist with social distancing.

All members will be expected to use the hand sanitisers at the main entrance and the exit. All internal gates have been removed, all outdoor equipment has been removed and there will be no access to the clubhouse or toilets at this time.

Golf clubs in Co. Wicklow will be adopting the measures outlined in the publication ‘A Practical Guide to Golf During COVID-19’.

Produced by Carr Golf in consultation with governing bodies, medical experts and industry leaders, the booklet does exactly what it says on the tin and outlines the range of safeguarding measures being implemented at the club - and all other Carr venues - to reflect what they refer to as the ‘new norm’ for playing golf.

The comprehensive guide is quite remarkable in its detail, covering course access, booking and arrival, check-in and pro shop protocol, clubhouse facilities, to the first tee, on the course and getting home safely.

Once the courses reopen they will only be open to club members initially and they mustn’t have been out of the country in the previous 14 days. Nor should they be in self-isolation, displaying Covid-19 symptoms or required to cocoon.

Booking a tee time in advance will be compulsory until restrictions are further eased and all players must provide a phone number and email address to enable contact tracing.

Golf equipment should be washed before a player leaves home, they should travel to the club alone or with a member of the same household and should arrange golf attire and change footwear at their car as the locker rooms will be closed.

All these measures are just some of those that must be followed before a player even gets out to the first tee!

Once out on the course, the guide states, for example, that hole cups have been inverted to enable contact-free ball retrieval as flagsticks are not to be touched.

Only social golf will be catered for initially and Carr Golf say the measures being taken at clubs they manage or maintain are ‘robust’, are there to help safeguard staff and customers during the Covid-19 pandemic and are kept under constant review as advice from government and health experts evolves.

Wicklow Golf Club are looking forward to welcoming their members back on Monday.

‘We are all looking forward to Monday 18th May when we will be re-opening Wicklow Golf Course to our members.

‘The timesheet for next week will be open to book from 6pm on Thursday, May 14.

‘The timesheet will be set up at 14-minute intervals to facilitate play in three-balls. All golf must be booked on BRS with the timesheet running from 8am, Monday to Friday, and 7am on Saturday and Sunday to 8pm each day.

‘No play is allowed outside these times. ‘The player whose name is on the timesheet must play; no guest bookings are allowed. This is necessary to comply with tracing in the event of a confirmed case of Covid-19,’ they said.