Golf Australia says clubs need to close around the nation to fall into line with new government coronavirus restrictions

The national body for golf in Australia has recommended that courses and facilities close until further notice due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions. What will happen in South Australia?

Golfers at the North Adelaide golf course. The club and others around the state have been recommended to close because of the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

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South Australian golf clubs will get to individually decide whether they follow a national recommendation that courses and facilities close until further notice because of the coronavirus.

While clubhouses have been closed, many golf courses have still been open to the public despite caps on groups in public introduced by the Federal Government to try and combat the spread of COVID-19.

But after Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s latest limits on outdoor gatherings announced on Sunday evening, to two people or fewer, Golf Australia has advised all of the nation’s golf clubs and facilities to close until further notice.

One of South Australia’s most prestigious golf course, Kooyonga, last week closed its club, course and practice facilities until further notice, saying to stay open would “be incompatible with the intent of the Prime Minister’s instructions”.

Mount Osmond said in an email to members it would stay open despite the recommendation.

“The decision has been made by the board and management on the advice received from State Government authorities and against a recommendation received this afternoon from Golf Australia,” the email said.

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US rocker Alice Cooper (second from right) and his band stopped by Mount Osmond Golf Club in Adelaide for a round last month while on tour in Australia. Picture: Supplied

Despite this Golf SA is expecting the directive from Golf Australia to be followed widely at state level.

But clubs can still keep their courses open if they want to, with the national body not able to enforce its recommendation on individual clubs.

Golf Australia chair Andrew Newbold said it had to be acknowledged that golf did not fall in the newly-announced parameters around outside activities.

“While this is a difficult time for the golf industry and wider society, Golf Australia is committed to working with clubs and facilities across the states and territories to ensure that we return a vibrant, strong industry,” he said.

The coronavirus pandemic had already forced Golf SA to cancel events such as the SA Amateur Classic, the SA Aboriginal Championships and the Australian Girls Amateur Championships in SA.

Originally published as Golf Australia says clubs need to close around the nation to fall into line with new government coronavirus restrictions