GOLF –
Whilst COVID has shut down most sports for the season, avid golfers still have a chance to tee up on the green as many Central Coast golf courses remain open to members only.
Some changes have been made to accommodate the health restrictions such as staggered starts for groups, no clubhouse, and masks must be worn.
CEO of Breakers Country Club in Wamberal, Ken Pearson, said that since lockdown started in June, the golf course has been booked out every day.
“The Clubhouse has been closed since June 26, but the golf course has been booked out every day since then.
“Golfers can come and play in groups of two, and we let two groups start every five minutes.
“So, we’re seeing around 250 golfers a day coming down, and 60 golfers are starting their round per hour.
“Restrictions we have in place are all golfers must wear a mask and socially distance, and it’s members only so we can keep track of who is coming and playing,” Pearson said.
Pearson also said that golf club hire was still available to players without a set of clubs, however they need to be booked in advance to allow the pro shop time to sanitize them.
Other restrictions at Breakers include the bubblers around the course being turned off, no hand shaking at the completion of a game, rakes have been removed from the bunkers, all pins on the green are to be left in, players must sign in using the Service NSW app and only members that live within a 10km radius of the club are able to play.
Similar conditions are also in-place at Gosford Golf Club, ensuring the health and safety of their members.
Other restrictions at Gosford Golf Club include, flags being left in the hole, players having to mark their own scorecard, wearing masks in golf carts where social distancing isn’t possible, arriving at the course no earlier than 10 minutes before tee off, not being in contact with anyone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days and not entering the club if a player should be self-isolating, waiting for a COVID test result or living with someone who should be self-isolating.
Harry Mulholland