The PGA in Ireland insists they have “been working tirelessly to campaign for the safe return of golf” having made a strong case to the Irish Government as to why the sport should be one of the first activities to resume once restrictions ease.
The Association are now encouraging PGA members in the Republic of Ireland to email their local representatives to do the same, detailing how golf can operate safely and has procedures already in place to do so. With roadmaps soon to be released in conjunction with Ireland’s living with Covid plan, the PGA is adamant that golf should be considered amongst the safest pursuits as we move away from level 5 lockdown.
“In the coming weeks there will be a number of announcements concerning ‘road maps’ for the Republic of Ireland to come out of current Covid-19 lockdown restrictions,” Robert Maxfield, PGA Chief Executive wrote to all PGA members in Ireland.
“We are therefore encouraging PGA Members in the Republic of Ireland, as well as members of the Business Management Group and Club Volunteer by PGA groups, to email their local representative explaining that golf can operate safely and has many procedures already in place. We need your support to get the message across that golf is Covid safe and provides a huge number of health benefits.”
Amongst the arguments put to Government around golf’s safe return is how the sport naturally lends itself to social distancing compared to the crowded public spaces people are currently being forced into given the 5km travel restriction. Golf courses have already implemented procedures to make it safer than ever with no rakes in the bunkers, no touching of flags, online booking systems and well-spaced tee-sheets all making it one of the few Covid safe pursuits.
By no means are the PGA downplaying the extent of the virus, rather they are suggesting that if the Government’s living with Covid plan is to reflect the name with which they gave it, then people deserve a chance to prove themselves capable of doing just that in a safe environment, and golf has already proved itself in this regard.
“The PGA has written to An Taoiseach, sharing a COVID-19 Secure Golf scientific paper, prepared by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf (APPGG),” added Maxfield. “This paper outlines the many health benefits of playing golf, how the game has established COVID-19 secure practices and recently it has been updated with more compelling evidence from a range of experts.
“We would encourage you to share the COVID-19 Secure Golf scientific paper with your elected representative. Please rest assured we will continue to do all we can to make the case for golf and that our teams are on hand to provide support at this difficult time.”
If you have any COVID-19 questions, please contact your Regional Manager, your Business Relationship Officer, or call The PGA’s dedicated COVID-19 Helpline.
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