In an historic video-link broadcast to around 800 viewers last Friday, The PGA of GB & Ireland Chief Executive Robert Maxfield, supported by Executive Directors Richard Barker and Tristan Crew, welcomed golf club managers and officials to discuss how golf is preparing for life when the current UK COVID-19 lockdown is lifted.
The Special Guest speaker was Craig Tracey, Member of Parliament for North Warwickshire and Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf (APPGG) who stressed that the collaborative working together by golf’s various independent and autonomous bodies over recent months had made a huge contribution towards creating the favourable impact that Golf has made upon the Government.
Up to now the regular PGA LIVE weekly webinar has been designed to give members information and support directly from the Senior Team at The PGA. It has been very well received and is part of a co-ordinated campaign which has included calling all members and encouraging them to use the PGA’s 7 regional offices which remain open and fully staffed. Of the PGA’s 140 staff only 35 have been furloughed.
From the start there has also been a Member helpline and an ever-growing library of useful documents covering COVID-19 available through www.pga.info
Together with key stakeholders in the industry The PGA has prepared practical advice in Operational Guidance for The Future Phased Re-Opening of Golf Facilities.
- This covers:
Preparing the Golf Course
Course Condition
Starting a Phased Return to Play
Driving Range Use
Starting PGA Professional Services
Club Fitting Sessions
Golf Coaching
Starting Clubhouse Management and Administration
In parallel The PGA has supported the R&A in preparing the companion document Playing golf under COVID-19 Restrictions which covers:
- Course Set Up
- Before the Round
- During the Round
- After the Round
- Rules of Golf Related Matters
Robert Maxfield made it clear that The PGA’s willingness to place its considerable resources at the disposal of golf club managers and officials is not a short-term response to COVID 19. PGA members already carry out a wide variety of roles within the golf business and the Association is able to extend opportunities for membership to all professionals involved in the business of golf.
Arrangements for doing this will be formalised in the coming months.