British golf courses expected to reopen in May
Golf, fishing and bowls expected to resume if there is a relaxation of the coronavirus lockdown in Britain...
Golf clubs in Britain will be allowed to reopen for play next month providing there is a relaxation of the coronavirus lockdown on May 7, according to an article in the Daily Mail.
It is expected, and hoped, that golf, fishing and bowls will be the first three non-contact sports to resume across Britain.
Wales has been told there is a "realistic prospect of being allowed to reopen by the middle of May", but with a number of strict social distancing measures remaining in place out on the golf course.
Only two-balls will be allowed on the course to begin with, and tee times will be made online with at least 10 to 15-minute gaps in between groups.
Clubhouses will likely remain closed, but bathroom facilities will be open.
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It is now anticipated that Britain will follow in the footsteps of the likes of both Denmark and Australia, which have both reopened golf courses but with stringent instructions.
"All this remains contingent on the government deciding they are on top of the Covid-19 pandemic sufficiently to move to the next phase, but all the signs are good," claims the Daily Mail article.
England Golf is currently waiting for an official green light to be made, but reports claim that chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson has already prepared a guidance pamphlet called 'Play Safe, Stay Safe'.
This pamphlet will soon be issued to all golf clubs in the country once it has been recommended by the government that it is safe to reopen golf courses again.
It is expected that golf, fishing and bowls will be the first three sports in the country to resume over others.
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Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden recently said at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee that if there was evidence that the three sports could re-open safely then he would press the case to the prime minister and the COBRA emergency response committee.
"We are gathering the necessary information," Mr Dowden told a Commons select committee.
"In respect of all sports, I want us to ease restrictions as quickly as we are able to, but that has to be consistent with the public evidence and guidance."
Sir Patrick Vallance claimed before the UK lockdown became official last month that golf was allowable providing golfers followed correct social distancing measures.
