Ashgrove Golf Club closes, wedding showcases postponed

Ashgrove Golf Club has closed and wedding showcases at two other westside golf courses have been postponed.

Col Welch, Bill O'Neill and Bruce Gill at Ashgrove Golf Club in happier times when coronavirus did not exist. FILE PHOTO

Ashgrove Golf Club (AGC) has closed its course and clubhouse after being told by Queensland Health and the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation that it was to shut from midday yesterday.

The club posted the news on its Facebook page tonight (March 24).

Westside News was unable to contact Indooroopilly Golf Course (IGC), Brisbane River Golf Course and St Lucia Hillstone golf Course last night to confirm if they also had shut.

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The Queensland Government has ordered only clubs with licensed facilities to close, but that includes most westside courses.

IGC and Hillstone have previously announced their respective Wedding Showcase events had been postponed, although as late as March 16 individual weddings were still going ahead at Hillstone.

Golf Australia said on its website that it recommended all clubs and facilities should closely monitor the federal Health Department’s advice in coming days and the Federal Government’s Smarttraveller website.

“Considering the recent announcements, clubs that are permitted to operate should be doing all they can to protect the privilege of being able to play our sport during these challenging times,’’ it said.

“Clubs should actively discourage the congregation of players and not draw any undue attention to their hospitality offerings.’’

It also recommended removing shotgun and two tee starts, create larger gaps between groups on time sheets, limit or cancel club competitions and review the need for pro shops to remain open.

“The club is lobbying relevant levels of government to have the shutdown reversed,’’ AGC operations manager Michael Ronan said in his Facebook post.

“Zegatos restaurant is continuing to operate on a takeaway basis, as well as through UberEATS.

“If able, please support local business.

“The club will be announcing a takeaway liquor service in due course.

“Volunteer programs on the golf course are still permitted.

“We also encourage members to check in on each other, particularly those who live alone.

“We understand that many members will be disappointed with this news.

“Rest assured that we are working as hard as possible to open the course at the earliest opportunity whilst ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.’’

St Lucia Hillstone said, on March 16, that its Wedding Showcase was postponed until further notice.

“After much deliberation, and in response to the Government’s mandate that all gatherings of 500 people or more be suspended, we have decided to postpone our Wedding Showcase until further notice,’’ it said.

“It is a necessary precaution we are taking as the health and safety of our guests, families and fellow wedding businesses is our highest priority.

“We are truly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, however rest assured the Showcase will be rescheduled at a later date this year.’’

On March 16 it advised it was not postponing any weddings or events for the next five weeks, with the exception of events of 500 guests or more.

IGC said it also had decided to postpone its Indooroopilly Golf Club Weddings Showcase on April 8.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. We believe this is in the best interests of all guests, and can assure you this decision was not taken lightly,’’ the club said.

“It is our full intention to reschedule the showcase for later this year once this health crisis has passed.

“The revised event date will be communicated once confirmed.’’