Upswing in interest in golf

Golf clubs across the district saw a surge of bookings and new membership applications as the country emerged from Alert Level 4, as players were keen to make use of reduced restrictions.

Despite being open only to members, the Warkworth Golf Club had 84 players on the first day it reopened.

Golf administrator Sue Hadfield said a number of visitors signed up for memberships on the spot just to be able to play.

She said recent rain, along with an empty course, meant that groundskeepers had been able to catch up on maintenance and the course was in top condition.

The Omaha Beach Golf club had to impose a two-game limit per member to ensure everyone got their turn.

General manager Sue Jury said that within hours of their website opening, bookings came flooding in. Within two days, the whole Level 3 period was fully booked.

The Omaha club cut down its usual capacity from 184 to 90 players to accommodate two-metre distancing.

During Level 3, all clubs spaced out tee times between players by at least six minutes.

Score cards and handicaps were temporarily banned, while holes had raised cups to prevent the ball from actually falling in.  

 “There had been a lot of questioning from players about conditions placed on clubs, but once they were on the course they loved it,” Sue said.

Like most golf courses, the Omaha Club restricted course bookings to members.

“We wanted to make sure that the locals had their chance to play. It has been difficult for our mature members because golfing is their exercise and social time,” she said.

Sue is hoping the clubhouse will be open again soon for events, although she expects capacity will be reduced to allow for distancing.

She says inter-club competitions scheduled for after lockdown have been put on hold and national tournaments have been cancelled.

“I have literally wiped my white board event calendar clean with disinfectant.”

Visitors to golf courses across the district have been required to sign a register, which shows their time of arrival so that any potential transmission of Covid-19 can be traced.