Greetings all,

Well, we have been open for only a week and quite a few of you have managed to come out and get back into the swing of things!

Certainly the social aspect of our great sport is missing under Level 3 but judging by the smiles on faces many of you are just happy to be out walking in a different neighbourhood.

I’d like to pass on my thanks to all members who have booked to play and made our job much easier but sticking to your bubble. I have had to query one or two but 99% have been compliant and a pleasure to deal with.

Some clubs have been audited by Civil Defence and there plenty of people out there ready to “dob-in” any person or business not adhering to the rules. Until we are told differently we will be enforcing the Level 3 rules to ensure we don’t get caught out and more importantly, we keep everyone safe.

And on that note, we expect to hear from Government on Thursday about specific guidelines for the sport and recreation sector (including golf) at Alert Level 2.

NZ Golf state:

“While early guidance for golf at Alert Level 2 would be ideal, the reality is the country won’t be moving to Alert Level 2 until the week of 12 May at the very earliest, so we do have some time.

It seems the implications for golf at Alert Level 2 are reasonably straightforward however we do need to receive official guidance from the government before we can define what golf will look like at that level. Our guess is that golf will return to relative normality at Alert Level 2. Outside of the important hygiene and sanitisation practices, the main regulations will likely be around keeping 1 metre distance from each other and not holding any mass gatherings.

As soon as we have any guidelines confirmed we will share immediately with the golf sector.”

So, my thoughts are that the bubble restrictions will be burst, flags will be back in (but don’t touch them!) and the pro shop and clubhouse open. There will be guidelines of course, mainly around social distancing and groups/gatherings limits.

Hope to see you all soon.

Regards,

Neville