The following statement is the latest to be issued by England Golf. We will be complying with COVID-19 directives as they are updated.
Golf Clubs (COVID-19) Updates
Last guidance update: Wednesday 25 March, 10:00
Golf clubs, courses and facilities are now closed.
Keeping golf courses open is simply no longer compatible with the updated policy of government which is designed to save lives in a time of national emergency.
We would like to assure the golfing community that England Golf staff will continue to work remotely with all affiliated golfers, clubs and counties to try and minimise the damage caused by this suspension of regular golf club life.
We will continue to signpost clubs and counties to the latest government advice and schemes designed to help the economy cope with the disruption caused by coronavirus.
Business support and guidelines
In order to provide clarification for golf clubs following on from the Prime Minister’s statement of 23 March, we are able to inform you of the following:
For security and essential maintenance purposes, green keeping staff can still attend work.
All work must be carried out in strict accordance with government guidelines on social distancing.
Additionally, advice is also being followed from BIGGA with regards to the greens staff welfare.
“Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday evening that the country is effectively in ‘lockdown’, BIGGA has been working hard to obtain clarification as to what that means in practice for our members, many of whom are looking for reassurances with regards their careers and income.
It is an unprecedented time for us all and firstly I want to reaffirm the message that our members’ health and that of their families come first.
Today we have received the following information from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS):
“For security and essential maintenance reasons greens staff can still attend work.”
We believe this is only partial clarification. It permits greenkeepers to work on essential maintenance but does not clarify what that means. We are naturally seeking further clarification urgently.”