Sunraysia golf courses closed

SUNRAYSIA’S pristine golf courses have been closed to players until at least April 13 as stricter social distancing measures take hold across the country.

Courses were closed from Saturday night for both members and green fee players after directions from Golf Australia due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“It is GA’s recommendation that, based on the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services directive issued as part of the Victorian Government’s Stage 2 restrictions regarding COVID-19, all Victorian golf clubs and facilities should close as soon as practicable until April 13, 2020,” Golf Australia said in a statement.

Mildura Golf Club Resort and Riverside Golf Club immediately followed the recommendations on the weekend and closed their courses.

Although golf authorities in New South Wales have not yet given the same direction, Coomealla Golf Club followed suit with the clubs on the Victorian side of the Murray River, closing the course on Saturday afternoon until further notice.

“We appreciate your understanding during this time, and look forward to having you back playing golf with us as soon as we can. Thank you to all for your support. Please stay safe,” Coomealla Golf Club said via their Facebook page.

Golf Australia, in a statement to Victorian clubs, said it was lobbying the federal and state governments to ensure course staff were able to keep accessing facilities.

“While this is a difficult time for the golf industry and wider society, Golf Australia is committed to working with clubs and facilities across the state to ensure that we return a vibrant, strong industry,” GA said in a statement.

Mildura Golf Resort has already been impacted in all key trading areas by the Non-Essential Activity Directions issued by the Deputy Chief Health Officer for Victoria, arising from the declared state of emergency for Victoria.

This includes bistro dining facilities, indoor and outdoor functions, bar facilities and use of the golf course by members and guests.

Mildura Golf Resort executive director Nick Cavallo said measures had been taken to ensure isolation on the course before the GA directive came through on Saturday.

“The most disappointing aspect of the closure of the golf course under these directions is that our 400 plus golf members and the public in general cannot participate in an outdoor sport that provides exercise, relieves boredom and is played on one of the largest sporting arenas of any sport,” Mr Cavallo said.

“Golf is an individual sport using your own clubs and own ball. Plus under new golf rules you do not have to take the flag out of the hole to putt and we have removed rakes from the bunkers. So over a round of golf no one needs to touch anything that someone else may have touched.”

He added that players could easily separate by at least two metres when playing to comply with distancing guidelines.

Other courses in the region include Red Cliffs, Merbein, Wentworth, Ouyen and Robinvale.