Golf first sport in Tasmania to return to competition since the COVID-19 crisis

Golf is the the first sport in the state to return to competition since the COVID-19 crisis and club members have wasted no time getting back on the green.

Tasmania Golf Club member Phil Fuglsang hits his second shot on the 10th hole while being watched by playing partner David Boon (right). Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

SOCIAL golf is a nice exercise, but competition golf is a whole different beast.

Golf on Monday became the first sport in the state to return to competition since the COVID-19 crisis with Tasmania Golf Club wasting no time to get the game back up and running.

Tasmania Golf Club members Jonty Williams and Phil Fuglsang enjoying their first round of competition golf since it was stopped for COVID-19. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Primrose Sands university student Jonty Williams was not going to miss out as he joined more than 70 others teeing off with more than just exercise on the line.

“I have played social golf but it is not the same as competition golf,” Williams, 20, said.

“Comp golf when you are out there playing for your handicap and trying to win money is a bit of a different feeling than when you are just walking around hitting a golf ball.”

He made the most of competitive golf’s return, teeing off at 7.30am, landing a 120m eagle on a par four and shooting to his handicap of three.

TASMANIAN GOLFERS MASTER SOCIAL DISTANCING TO A TEE

Flags must be left in holes, each player marks their own card and elbow bumps have replaced handshakes at the end of the round but apart from that it is pretty much play as usual.

Tasmania Golf Club president John Milbourne said as soon as Premier Peter Gutwein gave the all clear on Sunday, it was all systems go with the club offering mixed competitions now seven days a week.

“It is one of the things about golf, you are on a large expanse of land, you are all travelling in the one direction so the contact with other people is minimal so it is a very safe activity to do,” Milbourne said.

“The arrangements we have put in place reflect that and it allows a safe environment for our members.

“A lot of them are older people and it is one of the safest places people can be.”