With all of the United Kingdom and Ireland under some form of lockdown, The PGA has increased the support available for PGA Members, golf clubs and their management teams during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A dedicated helpline – launched in March at the beginning of the first lockdown – will continue to provide PGA Members and their facilities with a dedicated point of contact throughout the ongoing crisis.
Over the last nine months the helplines have been inundated, with our team of experts sharing practical advice on accessing Government financial support packages for the self-employed and businesses and how the measures apply to golf businesses and individuals. A dedicated team of PGA staff is also proactively contacting PGA Members and their facilities to direct them to further support and advice.
The PGA’s COVID-19 Resource Hub has become a vitally important reference resource for both PGA Members and the wider golf industry. Available to view on The PGA’s public pages at www.pga.info, the Resource Hub is constantly updated with the latest information and guidance on all aspects of the restrictions, conveniently broken down by country. The Hub includes guidance on everything from coaching and retail restrictions to financial support and mental wellbeing.
Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The PGA, commented: “These are unprecedented times. COVID-19 is having a massive impact on life in the UK, Ireland and around the world, and like so many other industries, golf is being hit hard by the ramifications. We remain concerned about the impact on our Members, their professional colleagues and their golf facilities.
“We are monitoring the situation carefully and have communicated quickly and fully through our channels as and when information becomes available. The helpline and Resource Hub allows us to respond to our Members’ individual concerns and questions and we will be here as a point of contact for them and their facilities should they need us.”
The PGA – as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf*, along with other leading industry bodies – is extremely disappointed by the decision not to exempt golf from the latest restrictions. As an industry, we have made a very strong case to keep golf open during the national lockdowns and in the regional tiers system, and we will continue to campaign for golf to reopen at the earliest opportunity.
Maxfield added: “We will do whatever it takes to support our Members and their facilities through these difficult times. We all have a long-term interest in the golf industry not only surviving these difficult times, but emerging stronger and more united in the months ahead.”
The helpline telephone numbers are listed below and on the COVID-19 Resource Hub. They will be manned 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
- PGA South Region – 01279 652 070
- PGA Midlands Region – 01675 624 755
- PGA North Region – 01204 496 137
- PGA South Region – 01483 224 200
- PGA West Region – 07799 111 857
- PGA in Scotland – 07799 111 862
- PGA in Ireland – 00353 4293 21193
Visit the PGA’s COVID-19 Resource Hub by CLICKING HERE
*The All Party Parliamentary Group for Golf (APPGG) consists of MPs and Peers from any political party working with industry bodies to provide direction for golf during the COVID-19 crisis. The group is chaired by Craig Tracey (MP for North Warwickshire), with the industry represented by the following organisations: American Golf; The Belfry; the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association; the British Golf Industry Association; England Golf; the Golf Club Managers’ Association; Golf Ireland; the Golfing Union of Ireland; the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union; IMG; The Professional Golfers’ Association; PING; The R&A; Scottish Golf; Syngenta; the UK Golf Federation; Wales Golf
