Golf Lockdown Discussion ** No discussion of breaking Restrictions **

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Run your own comps between a group of members, easily set up, Revolut entry, photo cards and send to designated WhatsApp group..I've details in another thread

Cant beat a real competition. A lot of clubs have planned for comps from next week so very unfair to clubs. GUI have really not shown any sort of leadership at all.

Welcome to how Sport Ireland works folks. By diktat and not by consensus. There are around 15 sporting bodies not 'recognised' by Sport Ireland. Recognised in this context means not receiving grants. When they approached Sport Ireland for direction on how to safely resume, they were told to PFO. Obvious response to this was "well, we'll do our own thing then". They were then 'invited' to submit their plans.

The whole wording of the announcement even.

Opening with how we are privileged to go back to playing early in the opening phases. Implying thats down to their great negotiation skills. Nothing to do at all with the fact that we're just privileged and lucky to have a playing field the size of several soccer pitches for a small group of players.
Had they not been able to negotiate something from that position it would have been outright poor. I thought even the protocol for return to golf as it stood originally was full of political concessions that had no bearing on the actual emergency.

Come out with such a poor result 5 minutes before 12 and pat yourself on the back in the same announcement. The mind boggles.

Deleted User wrote: »

This is a bad decision. I know its only another 3 or so weeks but we are entering the summer and clubs need money. I dont see a good enough reason for this in terms of the virus. It seems a more political reason. Trying not to upset other sports that cant resume yet

No. It literally is Sport Ireland not wanting other sports hassling them with "But golf...". They have all sports over a barrel because they dole out the money.

I can almost guarantee it.

Edit: How you deal with this btw, is deluge Shane Ross with emails of complaint. Absolutely bury him in them. Sport Ireland might not want hassle from other sports, but they certainly don't want hassle from the minister.

PARlance wrote: »

I'm not sure the outgoing Minister for Sport is going to get too buried by anything. He had little to no interest in sport to begin his tenure and I can't see him doing much now. I think you're greatly overestimating his interest in this matter.

It's 3 weeks, it's a little annoying. I'd feel for those who have worked hard to get things in line from a club front but it's not the end of the world.

No, I had thought of that, but by the same token, he's got nothing to lose. But he probably doesn't have the backbone required unfortunately. Just pointing out the obvious route to take for people who are incensed by this.

Its a bit pathetic tho how we have gone from what's necessary to do with regards to the virus to political squabbles and 'if I cant do X nobody will'. Some things will never change, eh...

Doesn't bother me personally if I'm not playing comps for another 3 weeks. But clubs are struggling financially already and its just reflective of a poor representation of its members by the GUI. And not only that but looking at wording and timing of the announcement they're also being taken for fools tbh.

Down9194 wrote: »

Just checked on GUI site and it looks like competitions are allowed in the North from Monday. Seems strange that they have changed rules in one jurisdiction only

Northern Ireland is in the UK and take the lead from Boris not Leo. The GUI has to fall in line with either. I'm glad to have been taking the lead from Dublin on this one. Our death rate isn't great, but the UK's is almost double ours.

JOINT RESPONSE TO QUERIES ON COMPETITIONS BY GUI AND ILGU

Saturday, 6th June 2020



In light of the large volume of queries received, the GUI and ILGU would like to clarify the situation which led to its communication to golfers and golf clubs confirming that club competitions would not be permitted in Phase 2.



In mid-April the GUI and ILGU submitted a draft Protocol to Government which outlined the means by which the Unions felt that golf could be re-introduced on a safe, low-risk basis. This submission by the Unions ultimately led to golf being included, as one of only two named sports, in Phase 1 of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.



Once the Unions became aware of the phased approach taken by Government, Golf’s Protocol was updated to include phases matching those in the Government’s Roadmap and the Union’s submitted their updated Protocol to Government, including an Appendix setting out Golf’s phased plan. The Appendix indicated that Club competitions would be allowed in Phase 2.



The GUI and ILGU then issued the Protocol to clubs and golfers, emphasising that:



“Public health measures are likely to be continually updated by the Government. Even if golf continues to be allowed in such circumstances, the Protocol governing the safe playing of the game may be updated in line with any changes to public health measures.”



Phase 1 of Golf’s Protocol was subsequently approved by the Government appointed Expert Group on the Return to Sport. Feedback from the group was silent in relation to Phase 2 and subsequent phases.



On the week commencing 25th May, the Unions submitted their detailed Protocol for Phase 2 to Government, including some easing in restrictions relating to group sizes and tee-time intervals, indicating that the Protocol would be published and issued to affiliated clubs on Monday, 1st June.



On Wednesday, 3rd June, the Expert Group on the Return to Sport met and considered Phase 2 protocols from various sports. At this meeting, the Group decided that competitions across all team and individual sports would not be permitted in Phase 2. This was communicated to the Unions on Thursday, 4th June.



Clearly, the Unions remained of the view that golf competitions, played under that conditions set out in Appendix 2 of the Unions Phase 2 Protocol, posed no additional risk to golfers. This was communicated to Sport Ireland on the afternoon of Thursday, 4th June and Sport Ireland were asked to reconsider the position.



On the afternoon of Friday, 5th June, Sport Ireland confirmed the decision of the Expert Group, as follows:



“An important point is that the Expert Group advises against any competitive sport in Phase 2. That is a general point across all sports and not directed at golf specifically although relevant to your plans. Fairness and consistency of the application of advice across all sport is an important element of the mandate of the Expert Group.



There is a rationale behind that advice. Phase 2 remains a high risk Phase with COVID 19 still active in community settings. People are encouraged to return to sport and physical activity but strictly within public health guidelines. There are significant relaxations of the protocols but caution is still recommended. Competition in sport is not advised as it means higher intensity activity, more people involved in a particular event and an incentive for people to travel beyond the 20 km limit.



We understand your point that closed club competitions were included in protocols submitted some weeks ago. However, the Expert Group works on a Phase by Phase basis as the public health advice can change. Phase 2 was only considered on June 3 and it is understood that the public health emergency is an evolving situation with a high level of uncertainty from week to week. NGBs have to plan ahead but those plans are subject to change depending on Government approval and advice.”



The Unions then issued their statement to clubs confirming that competitions could not be played in Phase 2.



On the morning of Saturday, 6th June, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport issued a Press Release (See: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/c7327-return-to-sport-expert-group-recommends-further-steps-towards-phase-2-protocols/) confirming the decision of the Expert Group. The Press Release states:



“On this occasion, the Expert Group emphasized that the resumption of permitted sporting activity under phase 2 related to team sports training (but not matches) where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact. The focus is on team training, not on the playing of team games.



Accordingly, the Expert Group confirmed that training matches, friendlies, competitive fixtures or competitions in individual or team sport are not included under phase two; these will arise in later phases.”



The GUI and ILGU acknowledge the work of the Expert Group in the complex matter of getting sport re-started in a safe manner and particularly, for the progressive approach the Group has taken in deciding that golf would be included from Phase 1. We will continue to work with the Group as we progress through the Roadmap.



The Unions welcome the easing of travel restrictions from 8th June, and their proposed elimination from Phase 3, which will allow increased access to golf courses and the potential for additional revenue generation from green fees.



Finally, we would like to commend our member clubs and golfers for the manner in which they have embraced Golf’s Protocol during Phase 1 and we welcome the fact that our game continues to provide an outlet to people in these challenging times.

Mushy wrote: »

Still dont know how it works with horse racing fixtures seemingly going ahead

yeah completely daft. From Monday I can travel 100KM for a game of golf as a members guest of another course yet I cant enter a score on my phone for a competition in my home club.

PARlance wrote: »

Northern Ireland is in the UK and take the lead from Boris not Leo. The GUI has to fall in line with either. I'm glad to have been taking the lead from Dublin on this one. Our death rate isn't great, but the UK's is almost double ours.

Yes but golf is governed from the republic so if it's open up there it should be open down here, I don't begrudge them but it's an absolute joke and again a lack of balls from those in charge.

I still can't figure out why fourballs are allowed from Monday but internal golf competitions are not. Was this decision based on
scientific,medical or sporting grounds. I'd just like to know,that's all. The long statement from GUI does not address this.

A few weeks ago,Labour T.D. Alan Kelly sought more transparency from those making decisions. This is a classic case of lack of
transparency or explanation regarding this decision. It seems to me that the GUI accepted it without too much debate.

A lot of this is down to clubs/organisations afraid to question or go against Sport Ireland because they hand out the grants and fear not getting any future cash.

It was a lot of bull yesterday and it still is today. My club is now looking for a booking few for casual rounds for the next 3 weeks in order make up for the competition shortfall. While the members have accepted that we're going to be 'down' two months on our annual golf vs membership fees we now have to make additional payments on top of it. Not going down well at all. A lot of disgruntled members and clubs. The GUI has let everyone down with this and no matter what sort of construed justification they come out with it remains a poor decision.

twounderpar wrote: »

From Monday they are allowing more golfers to play together, that is 4 instead of 3. They see no problem with spreading the virus in that
situation. Yet running a competition is seen to be a threat. Why?

The GUI have certainly fallen asleep at the wheel on this one.

Do people need to calm down a bit about competitions ?

It is all positive that we are back to some form of golf and further opening up.

Yes , I miss competitions and all that - but we are still effectively in control measures - with over 70 cases in one day a few days ago and deaths still present. Things are going in the right direction - but a long long way to go. Months.

At the end of the day - competitions involve a need to not social distance - I haven't come across any convincing way this can be done with some form of verbal agreement / protocol / non exchanging of cards.

The technological solutions are the way to go - but we simply do not have time to implement them quick enough.

I'm still counting my lucky stars we can play golf.

In the statement it says the Expert Group decided that competitions across all team and individual sports would not be permitted in
Phase 2.
Is horse racing not a competitive sport.

Anyway I'm quite calm about the situation. All I'm trying to do is attempting to tease out the logic behind the decision.