Northern Ireland

Executive yet to comment on continued closure of golf courses during pandemic

Golf courses have been closed during the north's six-week lockdown
Golf courses have been closed during the north's six-week lockdown Golf courses have been closed during the north's six-week lockdown

THE executive is yet to comment on why golf courses have been shut during Northern Ireland's six-week lockdown while those in the Republic, England and Scotland remain open.

Courses shut on St Stephen's Day and will remain closed during the lockdown. However, the restriction will be reviewed after four weeks.

Golf fans argue that the sport is safe during the pandemic, with less than 100 players at any one time on a course often more than 100 acres in size.

In the Republic, only golfers from two separate households are allowed to play as a group and clubhouses remain closed.

The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) wrote to First Minister Arlene Foster on December 21, asking her to reconsider the executive's approach.

However, the executive is yet to respond to queries from The Irish News about whether it will review the closures.

In his letter, PGA chief executive Robert Maxfield highlighted the "undeniable health and mental wellbeing benefits that golf offers to a significant proportion of the country".

"It is worth noting that golf courses in England and Scotland have remained open even as those two countries moved once again into Tier 4 restrictions, confirming the ability of golf to operate safely during the pandemic," he wrote.

He added: "Whilst we agree that certain measures will have to be adopted, such as closing clubhouses, these should not be seen as prohibitive to allowing play to continue."

Golf Ireland, which manages the sport on a 32-county basis, said on December 19 it "will continue its contacts with both the responsible department and Sport NI to ensure that golf can return at the earliest opportunity".