As many of you are now aware, the NSW State Government has reversed its previous position on playing golf. An email has been sent to all members covering the changed advice. Currently the BGC team is working hard to reinstate the course in readiness to commence play from Thursday 2nd April. Deliveries are being re-booked, cleaners are being brought back on duty, staff are being re-rostered, the course is being set up again. The pro shop has been loading up the booking sheets and competitions ready for you. It's a big job, so your patience is appreciated.
I have reproduced the correspondence received and sent in regards to the re-opening of the golfing component of the club below for your perusal. I'd like to thank all those members who contacted the office with their support over the past few days. Suffice it to say that the club did not have the option of remaining open last Monday evening despite comments to the contrary. Thankfully reason has returned and, although it created a great deal of angst for all the members and an enormous workload for the staff, we can get back to playing golf in a safe and healthy manner.
(Email to members sent 01/04/20)
Good morning members, we have now received the latest advice on this extremely frustrating saga to open or close the course. The Board is pleased with this result. We have decided that the course will reopen tomorrow after it has been suitably prepared. Please refer to the online calendar as some events may have changed. The social distancing rules must be complied with in accordance with the following rules.
Effective 02/04/2020 only 2 players per group will be allowed.
- All of your current bookings have been removed which means players will have to rebook.
- All events trophy/medal will continue as scheduled.
- All competitions up to April 30 will be single events with the exception of the Easter Monday medley which will be a 2ball aggregate (play in pairs).
- Anzac Day golf is currently under review.
- No visitors accepted in the fields up to April 30 *current bookings will be contacted to reschedule.
- Members are permitted to bring one guest as a playing partner.
- The drinks cart/take away sandwich will continue on competition days.
Rob Humphreys,
President.
(news release)
Home » NEWS » State News » COVID-19: Golf in NSW is back on
- David Tease
- April 1, 2020
After reconsideration, the Office of Sport – NSW Government has advised that golf is considered an activity that can continue to be played in line with Public Health Orders relating to public gathering limits, social distancing, and the elderly.
The statement from the Office of Sport – NSW Government is as follows:
The NSW Office of Sport would like to clarify the advice that went out on Monday 30 March 2020.
As you know, there are now restrictions around public gatherings and rules around leaving your home. These new measures are in place to keep the community safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. But it is important to note that people are allowed to leave their homes for the purpose of exercise.
For more information on the new restrictions, please visit https://preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/public-health-orders
What does this mean for sport and active recreation organisations?
The NSW Government has issued guidelines allowing people to go outside and exercise. Any form of exercise is to be undertaken in compliance with the Public Health Orders, meaning that people must not participate in groups greater than two persons at any point in time. Therefore, individual sports such as golf and tennis can continue provided the Public Health Orders are complied with.
Maintaining the public’s physical and mental well-being is now as important as ever. Where possible, it is important sporting clubs and organisations continue to allow people to exercise, so long as social distancing is practised and rules around public gatherings of no more than two people are complied with.
We trust this information will help your organisation to make informed decisions.
Golf NSW understands and respects that it is ultimately a Club’s decision to open or remain closed, based on individual circumstances related to COVID-1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
COVID-19 – GOLF COURSES AND BOWLING GREENS CAN REMAIN OPEN 20-046
1 April 2020
This morning the NSW Minister for Sport, Geoff Lee, announced that golf courses and bowling greens can remain open.
In an interview on 2GB Radio the Minister advised that “golf courses are allowed to be open ... as long as they follow the social distancing rule; no more than two in a group at the same time”. The Minister also said that lawn bowls and tennis can continue to be played, as long as they were confined to two people.
The website of the NSW Office of Sport has now been updated to clarify that golf and other sports can be played provided it is undertaken in compliance with the Public Health Orders, meaning that people must not participate in groups greater than two persons at any point in time.
Yesterday, Clubs NSW advised that golf courses and bowling greens needed to close. This advice was based on the information and advice which was available at the time.
As noted above, the NSW Government’s advice has subsequently changed, thereby permitting golf, bowls and tennis to continue.
There is no requirement for a club to provide staff to facilitate people engaging in the sport.
For more information please contact the Clubs NSW Members Enquiries Centre on 1300 730 001 or by email at
[email protected]
Anthony Ball
Chief Executive Officer