Golf clubs prepare reopening plans in anticipation of relaxation of restrictions

Golf clubs are preparing "ready-to-play" plans in the event the Government lifts some of the restrictions on sporting activities within the next couple of weeks.
Several clubs have had detailed plans prepared for some weeks in order to meet social distancing and other guidelines while others have documents in draft form which will then be adjusted when the Government releases more information.
Although playing has stopped at all clubs since the start of the lockdown, greenkeepers have been working in the background to maintain courses while managers and administration staff are keeping in touch with club members through emails and social media.

A spokesman for the Royal Dublin Golf Club, which has 1,100 members, said that while it had a number of guidelines prepared to cover a variety of scenarios, a complete plan would have to await release of the Government's plans in relation to sporting activities.
The club had been in touch with golfing associations in Sweden, Australia and Denmark to see how they were operating.

Royal Tara

Ray Keogh, Honorary Secretary of the Royal Tara Golf Club in Co Meath where 800 members play, said that up to a week before the lockdown the club had remained open but since then everything had closed down apart from course maintenance by seven staff.
Club officials were working on a plan in the event the Government lifted restrictions and he anticipated this would be ready this week. He said the club would miss events like competitions, a vintage car rally and a fashion show which had all been a feature of their activities.

Elm Park

Tom Ryan, course director at Elm Park Golf Club (2,000 members), said that while there was a "pent up" feeling among members who were anxious to get back out onto the course, this would be strictly monitored and controlled by the club.
"Before the lockdown we were already operating safe procedures in accordance with Golfing Union of Ireland and Government guidelines. The GUI had suggested the ending of all competitions and we followed that. We had put in a lot of safety features for both players and staff. We made sure that course equipment like rakes, ball washers, refuse bins were all removed and we turned hole cups upside down so that players would not have to reach down into the hole for ball retrieval."
He said that if restrictions were lifted, timesheets would be strictly controlled and players would not be allowed arrive early at the course or be allowed congregate in groups there. When golfing was finished, players would have to leave the area immediately. If restrictions are lifted, the club anticipated there would be a "surge" of members wanting to play but they would not allow a flood of people through the gates at the same time, Mr Ryan said.
The playing situation would have to be managed carefully over a couple of weeks.

Bellewstown

Michael Leonard, owner/manager, Bellewstown Golf Club said that the club had put in restrictions for the three weeks preceding the lockdown. All equipment like rakes, ball washers, etc, had been removed. The club already had a "Covid-19 Plan" in place but that was being updated in the event restrictions would be lifted. They would also put in special arrangements for the 60-plus age group to allow thjem play from 10-11am each day.

Co Meath Golf Club

Michael Fortune, Chairman, Co Meath Golf Club at Trim said that the club had put in a range of precautionary measures prior to the lockdown and extra measures would be implemented if restrictions were lifted. Cocooning members will not be able to use the course and the club was following all  GUI and Government guidelines. He said that most clubs and their members were looking forward to some lifting of the restrictions to allow some limited form of play to be resumed.