‘Coronavirus memberships’ prompt a surge in golfers

Golf is one of the few sports you can still play during the COVID-19 pandemic, and people’s need to get active outdoors has driven a surge in memberships for the Roma Gold Club.

Roma Golf Club president Mark Hall and member Tania Beck are able to enjoy games despite COVID-19, with the course still open to members only.

WHILE other sporting clubs have been forced to shut their gates during the coronavirus crisis, the Roma Golf Club has welcomed an influx of members to its greens.

The club has fortunately been allowed to stay open during the pandemic, albeit with heavy restrictions on players, including mandatory social distancing, and a members-only policy.

Doing their best to get around the strict rules, the club has introduced a ‘coronavirus membership’ for a limited time, and Roma Golf Club president Mark Hall said the concept has taken off.

“We have offered a special six month social membership, which has become pretty popular,” Hall said.

“Over the past few weeks we have signed up between 30 and 40 new members, and there has been quite a few people out on the course, even during the week.”

Earlier this month, sporting body Golf Queensland gave all clubs the green light to let players return to the course, should they choose to do so.

For the Roma club, it was a much needed lifeline; with the clubhouse bar closed indefinitely during the pandemic, the membership income is going a long way to keeping the course well maintained.

“The club would not have survived without the new members, because that income is what employs our greens director,” Hall said.

“If they were to just let the course go, it would take too much to get it back, with all of the mowing, and watering and maintenance.”

With no confirmed end date for any coronavirus-related restrictions, the Roma Golf Club is running regular weekend competitions, but all golfers are required to practice social distancing.

As they continue, Hall hopes more members will join the club, and keep active instead of staying home.

“We are happy with our increased numbers, but it would be nice to sign up a few more members, seeing as the golf course is one of the only places you can go at the moment.”

This weekend, the club is holding two competitions: an 18 hole stroke on Saturday, April 25, and a Stableford on Sunday, April 26.

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