Sam Newman has taken his fight to play golf to the steps of Parliament House
Avid golfer and TV larrikin Sam Newman has butted heads with Eddie McGuire in his campaign against Victoria’s golfing ban under strict stay-home rules, saying: “If (coronavirus) claims me, too bad.”
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Sam Newman has ramped up his protest against golf bans in Victoria by joking darkly: “If (coronavirus) claims me, too bad.”
The TV larrikin, podcaster and former footballer yesterday launched a one-man protest on the steps of Parliament House, demanding a meeting with Premier Daniel Andrews.
Golf is currently banned under tough stay-at-home measures in place to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The ban has been the subject of anger among keen golfers, with the sport still allowed to be played in other states across the country.
Newman, 74, today continued his campaign, questioning why Victoria is the only state to ban golf in its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Golf is the most cathartic thing people could do … getting out spiritually, mentally and physically doing something,” Newman said on Triple M Hot Breakfast today.
Co-host Luke Darcy said Newman is in a high-risk age demographic for coronavirus, and asked the outspoken broadcaster to “maintain for the greater good”.
Newman responded: “If I get coronavirus, I can assure you, it won’t be from playing golf,
it will be from going down to any walk of life that’s open at the minute.
“You can rent a car, you can rent a truck, you can go and buy provisions, you can run around The Tan … there are two and a half million takeaway shops open … you can buy a coffee and stand out on the footpath drinking it.
“If I get coronavirus, it would be from rubbing shoulders with those people,” Newman said.
Co-host Eddie McGuire agreed with those points, but pleaded with Newman: “Sam, if you can leave the bag in the back of the car for another month, I reckon you’ll be playing.
“I’m appealing to the greater good and something you feel deeply about; if you can sacrifice for the next six weeks.”
Newman replied: “No, I’m not sacrificing anything.”
McGuire argued some bans were implemented because too many Victorians underestimated the crisis.
“The problem has been, early on in proceedings, people wouldn’t sink into their thick skulls, and a lot of them, into their thick privileged skulls … that this was going to be something that would catch up and destroy not only lives, but our economy, and our way of life,” he said.
McGuire said there is a possibility the AFL season might resume in late June or July, and for Newman to “show leadership” and “dig deep” on the golf issue.
Newman answered: “You have the audacity, Ed, because you’re being the devil’s advocate. You oversaw the start of an AFL season when the coronavirus was just getting its eye in.
“Golf is far less hazardous than 40 people running around breathing, and spitting, and snotting, and expectorating.
“The public need a cathartic, spiritual and mental outlet and golf is the safest you can get.”
McGuire said: “I’ll give you the ultimate one — you’re not allowed, it’s not happening, full stop. Get used to it and cop your whack. We can kill this off, but everyone has to cop their whacks for a couple of more weeks.”
Newman, laughing, said McGuire and Darcy had afforded more favourable coverage to Cassie Sainsbury, the convicted Aussie drug trafficker released from a Bogota prison earlier today.
“I wish I was over in the jail with Bolivian booger-sugar trying to import 6kg of bloody coke. I’d have less angst,” Newman said. “You gave her better treatment than you’ve given me.”
He then joked: “I‘m nearly dead anyhow. I’m willing to take a chance. I haven’t got too many days left. If (coronavirus) claims me, too bad.”
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Newman yesterday posted a video of his protest to his 21,000 Twitter followers, saying: “You give me a legitimate reason why golfers can’t socially distance, not touch one another, walk around a golf course and obey the strict rules.
“It is nonsense. There’s everyone out on the street, jogging, spitting, vomiting, pissing on everyone. I saw people kicking a football on Olympic Park yesterday. It’s nonsense.”
Newman said it was a publicity stunt and a community service announcement.
“There is no legitimate reason why Victorians, unlike their interstate counterparts, can’t play golf,’’ he said.
“So I’m going to the seat of government where Daniel Andrews might be in the house.
“I’m going to stand here for an answer, put a ball marker down, I’ve got a GPS for social distancing and I’m going to ask him — why in God’s name can’t Victorians play golf.”
On the golf ban, Andrews has defended Victoria’s stance, saying the extreme measures would save lives.
The government permits only “basic exercise”, and said each state or territory acted on specific advice.
“On fishing for instance, golf, no recreational fishing trip, no trip to the golf course is worth someone’s life,’’ he said earlier this month.
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“And I know it’s frustrating, and I know I’m asking a lot of you, not to go and do the things that you love doing.”
Newman even ventured to St Patrick’s Cathedral in the hope of getting some divine intervention for his message.
He said he just wanted some common sense.
“People like me are incredulous. I’m ready for blow back about far more important things in life, but really, golf is the least likely to damage health. In fact it’s cathartic for people’s mental and spiritual health.
“The point is I’ve seen recreational football, tennis and people running around the tan.
“I’m not taking anything lightly with what’s going on.
“If the Premier might reassess it and admit he might have overreacted it would be a feather in his cap.
“I might even vote for him.”
Premier Daniel Andrews has been contacted for comment.