Golf courses saved from heartbreak

The Government’s decision to allow essential maintenance done on golf courses has saved a ton of heartbreak, says NZ Golf’s boss.

Sports and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said the Government had allowed urgent maintenance to go ahead after Easter.

‘‘This includes non-plantation nurseries, stadia turf, and golf and bowling club turf maintenance,’’ he said.

New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy said it was a good, sensible decision.

‘‘For golf in particular, it would have been heartbreaking to have all of those assets damaged,’’ Murphy said.

‘‘Not all of them would have been but there’s some already showing signs of damage – disease of the turf, damage from insects or from animals. When the lockdown finishes, we’ll be able to repatriate the courses to a state worthy of play.’’

Murphy said earlier this week the cost of locking out greenkeepers at the 390 golf clubs across the country would have cost up to $10 million.

‘‘Let’s say 200 clubs have reasonable damage and they require between $20,000 and $50,000 each. That’s between $4 and $10 million up front,’’ he said. ‘‘That doesn’t take into account the lost business and the damage in some cases could be far worse than that.’’

The decision has likely limited major costs from damage.

‘‘If we hadn’t been able to do what we’ve been granted to, it would have made that task really tough and for some clubs the investment of time, money, resources to get there course back to a playable condition won’t be a stretch too far,’’ Murphy said.

‘‘We’re under no illusions the Government’s dealing with some pretty major issues right now and they’re doing a great job steering us through it.

‘‘Turf and golf and sport is a pretty long way down the list so we’re really pleased they took the time to carefully consider it and a good sensible decision’s been made.

‘‘That said, golf needs to continue to play its part and do the right thing and follow all the guidelines of being in alert Level-4, but a really cool decision for us and all of our community golf clubs around the country.’’