Greenkeepers are hoping to mow
After spending the coronavirus lockdown literally watching the grass grow, Taranaki greenkeepers are happy they will finally be allowed to tend to their turf.
After more than two weeks of restricting work on golf courses and bowling greens because it wasn’t considered essential, Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson has announced urgent maintenance of turf, as well as care for plants in nonplantation nurseries, will be allowed under Level 4 restrictions after Easter.
But the conditions have yet to be decided by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, and in a statement Robertson asked greenkeepers to wait until the criteria came out before jumping into action.
‘‘We need to ensure there are clear guidelines for the health and safety of the community and turf management workers,’’ the statement said.
Although they were waiting for further details, golf clubs in Taranaki were pleased with Robertson’s words.
‘‘Collaboratively, as a group, all the greenkeepers are smiling,’’ Domenico Squatriti, who maintains the Kaitake Golf Club, south of Oakura, said. ‘‘And there will be a lot of relieved golfers.’’
He lives right next door to the golf club so had literally been watching the grass grow for two weeks.
‘‘The day before the alert level 4 was announced I mowed the greens and sprayed a plant regulator to suppress grass growth, as well as fungicide,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s worked a bit, plus we haven’t had a lot of rain, so the grass is not long.’’
Squatriti hoped he would be able to maintain the grounds before golfers were allowed to play again.
Taranaki Greenkeepers Association president Gary Lilley said he was ‘‘very pleased’’ the Government had changed its mind.
The president said the original restrictions would cost bowling clubs ‘‘hundreds of thousands of dollars overnight’’ if a fungus wiped out the playing surfaces.
While he was still waiting to hear the full list of criteria and conditions, Lilley said the ‘‘vital’’ duties of mowing and spraying would be allowed as they’re a one-man job.
‘‘It’s only sensible,’’ Lilley said.