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The government has ruled out golf off limits during the level 5 coronavirus restrictions and the decision has sparked an irate response from frustrated golfers across Ireland.
The governing bodies of the game here, the GUI and the ILGU, issued a joint statement at 4:45 pm today informing the clubs that they had not achieved an exemption for golf.
“After intense engagement over the past 48 hours, Sport Ireland informed us this afternoon that golf clubs are unfortunately required to close under the new level 5 restrictions,” the statement read.
“Essential field maintenance is allowed to continue below level 5. We have sought clarity on the question of whether practice fields / facilities can remain open for exempt activities. We will update the clubs on this as soon as possible. “
The news ended days of speculation after news broke Friday night that the government was seriously considering introducing strict restrictions this week.
On Monday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced Level 5 restrictions across the state for six weeks from Wednesday night / Thursday morning at midnight to December 1 in an attempt to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Golfers in the Republic hoped that they would be allowed to continue playing like their counterparts in Northern Ireland by adhering to public health guidelines.
But those hopes were shattered today, drawing the ire of many. Former European Tour pro Peter Lawrie believes the measures are a serious blow to many older people who use golf as a much-needed mental health and social boost.
“I understand and respect the social element here, where we all have to come together to stop the spread of the virus,” said Lawrie, who now runs the Spawell Golf Academy at Templeogue, a lighted 42-bay driving range.
“But there are a lot of people who use the driving range and the golf courses as a form of exercise and as a social outlet. Most older people use it as a social outlet.
“I have so many people who come to hit balls as part of their daily routine because doctors and specialists have told them that it is a great form of exercise. The five minute talk you have may be the only five minute talk you have for the day.
“That is what I feel sorry for. It could stay open tomorrow, but would that be the right thing to do? It’s probably against the rules and regulations so I’ll have to close.
“I had to call the police station to ask what to do because I couldn’t get anything from Sport Ireland or Golf Ireland. And they said, we would be under instructions to close it, because it is not essential.
“It is not a business for me at the moment. It’s about the social aspect and mental health. It’s not about € 7.50 for a basket of balls. It’s about giving people exercise, routine, and some form of escapism. “
Lawrie’s words were echoed by Conor Russell, director of golf at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links in Dublin.
“It’s very disappointing,” he said. “You can take a walk through St Anne’s Park and you can’t play golf on a course where there are only six people on a hole at the same time on a 100+ acre course.
“It is the ideal place to socialize and have some mental space and mental health is essential for all of us. I find it difficult to understand the reasoning behind the decision, especially when it comes to a game where 100 percent of golf clubs have been extremely vigilant in implementing the correct protocols for COVID-19. We have all fostered a very safe environment for golfers. We are bitterly disappointed. “
Michael Dolan, owner of Mount Temple Golf Club in Co Westmeath and president of Golf In Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, wrote in vain to Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Art, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
“As you know, traceability in the golf course industry has been 100 percent, through the use of the BRS online reservation system along with hand washing, the use of hand sanitizer and social distancing and no use of the clubhouse, ”Dolan wrote.
“The bad publicity that the golf course industry has been getting due to golf political exits, that is, ‘Golf gate’ with Donie Cassidy and her associates, and most of these people violating Covid regulations and They didn’t have to suffer for the same, leaving it completely open for the rest of the country to adopt the same procedures and allowing Covid-19 to spread like wildfire.
“We ask you, in your role as Minister of Sports, to leave the golf course industry running with all its procedures in place.”
Online editors
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