SOUTH-WEST golf clubs will have to adjust to the feeling of having no players on their courses after the sport's top body decided to halt all play due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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A Golf Australia statement released late Friday urged all Victorian clubs to close urgently based on government advice. It came as Victoria moved to a "stage three" shutdown on Monday.
Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Terang, Camperdown, Mortlake, Cobden and Timboon are among the south-west clubs temporarily shutting their doors until April 13.
The closures included the cancellation of all competition and social golf.
We have seen it as it is right decision and it's just what has to be and we are doing the best we can to get through it.
- Anthony Warburton
GA said it was lobbying with the federal and state governments to ensure course staff could keep accessing facilities.
Port Fairy professional Anthony Warburton said the seaside club was preparing for life without players taking to its picturesque course.
"We have seen it as it is right decision and it's just what has to be and we are doing the best we can to get through it," he said.
"We have basically told people who own carts if they want to get something out of them, we have contacted them to come either get them or grab stuff out of shed.
"Apart from that there is no one with clubs out and there is tape and signs at all of the entrances.
"We have had several committee meetings over the last two weeks as everything is changing so fast."
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Warrnambool Golf Club president Paul Blain said the club's offices and ground staff were working on reduced hours.
He said it was important to prevent the course falling into disrepair.
"We've decided its the best possible way (to close). We don't want to be standing people down and that sort of thing," Blain said.
"The staff have agreed to take on reduced hours or annual leave to help the club in its fiscal situation."
Blain said works on the course's fifth hole would proceed due to a donation from former member Stuart Smith, who died last August.
He said the club's members were itching to hit the greens. "With the bar closed (due to COVID-19 restrictions), lot of members said the golf experience wasn't complete without a beer at the end," he said. "We're excited for the time when we can play and socialise again."
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
