Here’s some amazing stories emanating from golf clubs during COVID-19 2
From a golf club that’s inspiring the industry to raise money for the NHS to ones that have been distributing food, the coronavirus has brought out the best in many golf clubs.
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Posts From Alistair Dunsmuir
COVID-19 helplines launched for golf clubs and PGA members; Club asks members to keep paying subs; LET revises 2020 tournament dates 5
The PGA has launched a ‘COVID-19 Helpline’ to support its members and golf clubs through the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Greenkeepers can mow greens a maximum of three times per week 0
The R&A and greenkeeping association BIGGA have issued guidance to golf clubs about what their greenkeepers should do during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Scottish golf clubs eligible for £25k grant; Some Irish clubs have remained open; Members urged to keep paying their subscriptions; COVID-19 update 4
Scottish golf clubs that have been forced into temporary closure by the coronavirus crisis are eligible for a one-off Scottish government grant of £25,000.
Legal advice for golf clubs during the coronavirus pandemic 4
This guidance, from the National Golf Clubs Advisory Association (NGCAA), examines the government’s job reimbursement scheme, self-isolation and SSP, childcare issues and clubhouse and course closures against the backdrop of COVID-19.
‘All UK golf courses must now close’ 12
England Golf, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf have all issued statements saying that their affiliated clubs must close with immediate effect and that golfers should stay at home, but greenkeepers can still attend work.
Some golf courses were very busy this weekend, Some pro shops have closed; Quotes from golf club managers; COVID-19 latest 3
Some pro shops at golf clubs closed down this weekend as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Golfers urged to maintain two metre distances between themselves 14
Golfers are being urged to maintain a minimum of two metre gaps between each other while playing – otherwise clubs fear they will be closed down entirely due to coronavirus.
Golf courses can remain open; Clubs close bars and restaurants; More clubs offering free golf; War on coronavirus update 4
Golf courses can remain open for now but clubs have closed their bars and restaurants as more golf clubs are offering free golf to the general public and in particular key workers during this national crisis.
The Rules of Golf have been urgently amended 4
Scottish Golf has issued a statement that, in the light of the coronavirus outbreak, the Rules of Golf have been dramatically amended and applied with immediate effect.
Golf club offers all its beds to the NHS; Contingency plans for the Open; The war on COVID-19 update 2
An English golf and country club has offered all 30 of its bedrooms to the NHS until the coronavirus pandemic subsides.
Golf club member dies; A club is offering free golf; Council-run clubs are closing: Coronavirus update 6
A Scottish golf club has announced that one of its members has died after contracting COVID-19.
You can still play golf provided you ‘keep a distance’ 23
The UK’s chief scientific adviser has responded to a health select committee question about playing golf during the coronavirus crisis by effectively saying it is an activity that is allowable.
Host of European Senior Tour events to close this autumn 1
A Leicestershire golf course which has hosted tournaments for the European Senior Tour is to close down this autumn – the decision is not thought to have anything to do with the coronavirus pandemic.
Two golf clubs form corporate partnerships with two football clubs 1
The golf clubs Trump Turnberry and The Shire London have both formed partnerships with football clubs – Glasgow Rangers and Brentford FC respectively.
Study finds older people ‘live longer’ if they play golf 9
A US study into mortality among the over 65s in the 1990s, which has just been published, has found participants tended to live longer if they played golf at least once a month.
Bob Williams steps down as CEO of the GCMA 5
The chief executive of the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA), Bob Williams, has announced he will step down this summer after more than seven years in the role.
Here are three trends from the last month that has got the golf industry talking 2
From one golf club offering membership for £1 to another announcing it wants to invest £30 million in itself, there was something for everyone in February.
Insolvency expert says some golf club committees need to be more professional 9
An insolvency expert that has dealt with two golf clubs that closed down in recent months has said committee members of some clubs need to be ‘more business-like about running costs’.
Local authority to invest heavily in golf because it ‘will deliver returns’ 2
A Merseyside council is to invest more than half a million pounds in its golf offerings, including building two driving ranges, because it believes it will achieve a return on investment of double this in a decade.
Historic Yorkshire golf club to close down 1
A 109-year-old golf club in West Yorkshire that has ‘struggled with the upkeep of the facility’ in recent years has announced it will close down at the end March.
Leading Scottish venue can sell alcohol to American golfers while they’re playing 3
One of the greatest golfing venues in the world has been given permission to sell alcohol on its course from a golf cart.
Another Scottish golf club closes down 0
A links golf club in Inverness is to close down this month – with the club posting online that it is ‘furious’ with the decision.
New survey finds golf club costs are rising significantly 10
A new survey of UK golf clubs has found that course costs have risen significantly in the last year, but many clubs are reporting growth and managers’ salaries are also significantly increasing.
Crown Golf is now a ‘property development company’ 3
The UK’s biggest golf club operator, Crown Golf, has evolved from ‘a golf course operating business into a property development company’ as it plans to build 230 lodges at one of its venues.
Criticism for Extinction Rebellion as it targets a golf club 0
A golf club in Brighton has been saved despite environmental movement Extinction Rebellion carrying out a protest at it – although a second club will be restored to chalk grasslands through a ‘rewilding’ plan.
Here’s our top three trends from the industry that took place in the last month 4
From more signs that there is growing demand for short golf courses to the benefits of partnering with other clubs to appeal to ‘staycation’ golfers, the first month of 2020 has been encouraging for the industry.
