Tournaments allowed in some states
National association announcement allows for events to be held in CMCO areas, but with strict protocols
IN a new development, the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) have announced what they call Mandatory Standard Operating Procedures (MSOPs) during the Covid-19 pandemic that allows for tournaments to be played in conditional movement control order (CMCO) states.
In terms of the list of conditional movement control order states released by the National Security Council (NSC), this applies to Kedah, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Sarawak and Terengganu.
Signed off by MGA president Admiral (R) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, the announcement said: “Golf competitions may resume provided there is no prize giving and gathering, and are restricted to a maximum of 100 players. A player’s place of residence shall be in the same district of the competition venue. Any other private competitions held at golf clubs will require prior sanctioning from the MGA.”
In another easing of the tight restrictions put in place, the onebuggy one-player policy has been done away with, but comes with a condition set down.
Twin-sharing buggies are now permitted in these CMCO states provided a plastic separator is installed, Anwar said. “However, single usage of a buggy is mandatory if a plastic separator is not installed.
“The Malaysian Golf Association have established these mandatory standard operating procedures for golf clubs located within CMCO states to strictly comply with and ensure the safe health of golfers, employees and guests.
“We would like to urge all golf clubs to continue to adhere to the SOPs handed down by MGA and the relevant government agencies to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 infection. Your health and safety remain our top priority during this time,” added Anwar.
Among the SOPs for golf clubs, the MGA have declared those golfers with fever or cold or cough or any other symptoms of Covid 19 should be denied entry to the golf club, bookings should be made in advance and that each person should complete and submit a health/travel declaration form prior registration.
Golfers should register 20 minutes before their tee time and online payments or bank transfers are encouraged.
Further still, only one golfer to register each flight and social distancing markers should be put in place and made clearly visible at registration counters.
Anwar said that the MSOPs are intended to ensure that all golf clubs will undertake and enforce the measures to strictly comply with the directives issued by the National Security Council and Health Ministry.
He added that failure and/or non-compliance of the MSOPs on the part of the golf club may be censured by the relevant enforcement agencies, which will include hefty fines or closure of the golf club, or both.