COOMEALLA Golf Club is open for business after the NSW Government lifted a state wide ban on playing golf.
The NSW Office of Sport advised clubs on Monday of their decision to allow individuals back on to golf courses, but as long as social distancing rules are adhered to.
Courses were forced to close last month after strict new guidelines were put in place to try and curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But after reconsideration by the Office of Sport, clubs were advised that golf is considered an activity and can be played in line with the public health orders relating to public gathering limits, social distancing and the elderly.
In a statement released by the NSW Government’s Office of Sport, it emphasised the importance of sporting clubs and organisations continuing to allow people to exercise.
“Any form of exercise is to be undertaken in compliance with the Public Health Orders, meaning that people must not participate in groups greater than two persons at any point in time,” the statement said.
“Therefore, individual sports such as golf and tennis can continue provided the Public Health Orders are complied with.
“Maintaining the public’s physical and mental well being is now as important as ever.
“Where possible, it is important sporting clubs and organisations continue to allow people to exercise, so long as social distancing is practised and rules around public gatherings of no more than two people are complied with.”
Coomealla Golf Club manager, Warren Fitzgerald, welcomed the decision, but said it was up to members and green fee players to abide by the rules to ensure the course remained open.
“It is great news for us and everyone who enjoys playing golf,” Fitzgerald said.
“We are very conscious of the rules that are in place and to ensure we do not jeopardise those in anyway, we have a lot of signage up around the course explaining to people the guidelines around social distancing.”
Fitzgerald said competition would also recommence again on Saturday, but with a number of changes to normal course conditions.
“We will only be using one tee and tee off times will be staggered between 7.30am and 1pm, with seven minute intervals between each group,” Fitzgerald said.
“The rakes have been removed from all the bunkers and players will not be permitted to remove the flags from the pin and there will only be one player per cart allowed.”
