Golf clubs in Adelaide and surrounds remain open for play, but with COVID-19 restrictions in place
Many golf courses across Adelaide, the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills are allowing play to continue in line with State Government restrictions, despite Golf Australia recommending they close. SEE WHICH CLUBS REMAIN OPEN.
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Golf clubs across South Australia are keeping their courses open, despite the national body recommending their closure because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Limits to groups of two, strict time limits between tee-offs, no competitions and scores, and members only are just some of the measures that are being taken by the state’s golf courses as they seek to stay alive.
On Monday afternoon, Golf Australia advised all of the nation’s golf clubs and facilities to close until further notice because of stricter conditions on outdoor gatherings.
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Many had already closed their clubhouses and function centres, but were still allowing play.
One of the state’s most prestigious courses, Kooyonga, last week closed its course and practice facilities until further notice.
It said to stay open would “be incompatible with the intent of the Prime Minister’s instructions”.
But Kooyonga has not been followed by the vast majority of other clubs, which cannot be forced to close their courses.
On Tuesday, top tier courses Royal Adelaide, Grange and Glenelg were all open, but with restrictions.
Other Adelaide-based clubs including Blackwood, Mount Osmond, Flagstaff Hill, West Lakes, Highercombe, Tea Tree Gully, Thaxted Park and the Vines of Reynella were also open, but again with strict restrictions.
Meanwhile, West Beach Patawalonga, Links Lady Bay, Mt Compass, Regency Park, North Haven, Playford Lakes and The Stirling were open to both the public and members.
The North Adelaide Golf Course will temporarily close from Wednesday onwards, and on its Facebook page the club said all-season pass and multi-use pass holders would be contacted about the impact of this on their memberships.
Royal Adelaide general manager Andrew Gay said the State Government directives didn’t state otherwise.
He said the club was limiting play to two balls only with no socialising, seven minute intervals, no competitions, no bunker rates or sand buckets.
A pool noodle had even been installed in the bottom of the cup to ensure easier retrieval of the ball.
“We have even divided the practice putting green into two zones, restricted max two people per zone,” he said.
“(It’s a) tough time knowing what’s best and we are desperately trying to keep the balance between health and safety and members access to their preferred exercise regime.
“Each state’s circumstances are also very different and message changes every few hours.”
Nathan Gray, the president of the Mount Osmond Golf Club, said for many of the club’s members golf was their only form of exercise.
“If our members gather we will shut down,” he said.
“It’s up to the members to be responsible.”
On top of the financial impacts through the closure of clubhouses, and turning players away, Dr Gray said there was a huge issues as to what would happen to the courses themselves if there was a national or state shutdown.
“If this does happen we need to have ground staff to maintain the courses,” he said.
“We don’t have the ability to hibernate that other businesses can do, if the greens aren’t maintained they will die and that is a significant cost.”
It is estimated that during a lockdown, within a week up to $2 billion worth of golf assets Australia-wide would be at risk – prompting Golf Australia to appeal to the Federal Government to provide exemptions for staff to maintain golf courses if a lockdown does occur.
Dr Gray said this was also to ensure a situation seen at the abandoned Belair Golf Course, which became a fire-risk during summer, did not occur.
Despite being in one of South Australia’s coronavirus hot spots, Barossa Valley golf courses are also remaining open.
Tanunda Pines Golf Club released a statement on Facebook on Tuesday morning, indicating play would continue under new restrictions.
“Playing golf is now for exercise only, meaning there will no be competitions and no scorecards – not even social handicapping scores,” the statement read.
Players must also leave the flagstick in while putting, and rakes have been removed from bunkers.
“The Federal Government continues to advise people in high risk categories to stay at home in the current circumstances,” the statement continued.
“All golfers are free to choose whether they play golf, but we remind you to consider your own personal risk factors including age and health.”
Meanwhile, one of the region’s other major courses Sandy Creek Golf Club, located east of Gawler, in an email to members advised competition play would also cease, and similar social distancing and hygiene practices implemented.
The course will also be off-limits to the general public.
“In addition, we remind all members, if you are feeling unwell please refrain from visiting the Club and see your doctor as soon as possible,” it stated.
Originally published as Golf clubs in Adelaide and surrounds remain open for play, but with COVID-19 restrictions in place
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