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Dear Victorian Golf Clubs and Facilities,
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As you are aware, COVID-19 or the Coronavirus as it is more commonly known has created global health concerns regarding the disease and its infection rates.
Golf Australia is writing to provide further assistance and guidance to our clubs and facilities on this important topic.
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Victorian Government Announcement – September 15, 2020
On September 15, the Victorian Government announced changes to restrictions in Regional Victoria from 11:59 pm on Wednesday, September 16.
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Golf Operations Advice – Regional Victoria
Further to Golf Australia’s e-mail sent yesterday afternoon, following the release of the Restricted Activity Directions, GA can also advise the following:
- Practice facilities may reopen, with a usage limit of ten people per 100 metres. In practical terms, this will mean for the majority of clubs/facilities that practice facility use will be capped at ten.
- Hire equipment – including pull buggies, motorised carts and range balls – can again be offered to golfers. It is extremely important that all shared equipment is thoroughly cleaned before and after each use.
- Shared equipment, eg bunker rakes, are required to be sanitised following each use. You should be aware that the “Managing play in a COVID-19 environment” document continues to be available for use by clubs/facilities and the implementation of the local rules contained within it are there to help clubs/facilities manage these requirements.
- Motorised carts may be used by 2 people that reside in the same household. Golf Australia continues to seek clarification on and lobby for 2 people from differing households being able to share a cart.
To reiterate our communication of yesterday, based on information published on the Victorian DHHS Website, Golf Australia is delighted to recommend the following for all clubs in regional Victoria:
- Golf can recommence being played in groups of four
- Club competitions can be conducted
- MyGolf, Get Into Golf, and other clinic or individual coaching can recommence in an outdoor environment for groups of ten or less, plus a coach
- There are no restrictions on travel for residents of Regional Victoria across Regional Victoria
- Face coverings, in most cases, must still be worn when playing golf. The DHHS directive provides for face coverings to be removed during strenuous exercise, therefore Golf Australia recommends that a player may remove a face covering when puffing or breathing heavily, however it must be replaced once a player has caught their breath.
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Further information from the DHHS in relation to face coverings can be found here.
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Golf Australia continues to seek clarification on the following.
- Indoor coaching in a retail environment
The DHHS Website page containing information on Third Step restrictions in Regional Victoria can be found here.
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The Restricted Activity Direction (No. 5) is located here:
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Clubs/facilities are advised that the document entitled “Managing play in a COVID-19 environment” continues to be available for use, and Golf Australia encourages clubs to do so to minimise risk to participants, staff and volunteers.
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Further information is available in the ‘Industry Restart Guidelines – Physical Recreation’ published by Business Victoria and found at the link below.
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Food & Beverage Operations:
Hospitality operations will be allowed under strict conditions.
Golf Australia recommends that clubs/facilities intending to open for food & beverage trade refer to the ‘Industry Restart Guidelines – Hospitality’ published by Business Victoria and found at the link below:
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Particular attention should be given to the following;
- Patron limits & density requirements
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o 50 people outdoors
o 10 people per space indoors to a maximum of 2 spaces
o Maximum 10 people per table/booking
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- Face coverings requirements
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o Face coverings must be worn by staff at all times where practical
o Face coverings can be removed when eating or drinking
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o Clubs/facilities must ensure that shared spaces open to the public are cleaned on a regular basis
o Tables must be cleaned after every service
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- Record keeping requirements
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o Venues must keep records of worker and customer details for contact tracing
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- COVIDSafe plan requirements
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o A venue must have a completed COVIDSafe plan for each workplace to continue their operation anywhere in Victoria
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- Seated service requirements
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o Patrons must always be seated to consume food & beverage
o Venues must have practices in place that control the movement of patrons within the venue. Providing full table service is the optimal way to do this, however at clubs/facilities where this is not practical, the venue must be able to demonstrate how they are keeping patron movement to a minimum.
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Operations advice – Metropolitan Melbourne
At present, there are no changes to conditions for golf clubs/facilities in Metropolitan Melbourne. Golf Australia has continued discussions with government departments this week and expects further information to be provided in the coming days.
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Golf Australia contact:
If you require additional information or have questions please do not hesitate to contact John Stamp, Club & Facility Support Manager – Vic , on 0418 395 140 or johnst@golf.org.au
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PGA of Australia contact:
If PGA members require additional information or have questions please do not hesitate to contact David Barker, Senior State Manager on (03) 8320 1911 or dbarker@pga.org.au
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Kind regards,
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Robert Armour
Interim CEO – Golf Australia
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