'Golf Can And Should Return Quickly' - Parliament Golf Group
The UK's Parliament Golf Group chairman is very impressed with the industry's efforts in planning for a safe return - might that come soon?
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The UK's Parliament’s All-Party Group for Golf Chairman is very impressed with the industry's efforts in planning for a safe return - might that come soon?
'Golf Can And Should Return Quickly' - Parliament Golf Group
Golfers in the UK may be in for some good news soon after the chairman of the UK Parliament’s All-Party Group for Golf said that golf can, and should, return quickly.
Craig Tracey, MP for North Warwickshire, appears to be doing everything in his power to get the game back up-and-running again.
He chairs the Parliament’s All-Party Group for Golf, which 'comprises MPs and Peers from any political party and exists solely to support the sport of golf.'
Tracey has been taking part in virtual meetings with golf industry bodies including The R&A, The PGA, The Belfry, the UK Golf Federation, the British Golf Industry Association, Syngenta and IMG, and he is very impressed with the plans he has heard to get the sport being played again safely.
He is said to be speaking to the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association soon as well as the home golf unions, with the aim to ensure golf returns as quickly as possible with 'temporary rules, actions or measures in development to be implemented immediately once there is any lifting of lockdown restrictions.'
Related: Will golf courses be in better condition post-lockdown?
“I have been hugely impressed by the response of the different leading golf stakeholders in coming together and working to secure a coherent response to COVID-19," Tracey said.
"Members of Parliament know how valuable golf is to the UK as it has a huge economic impact, employs large numbers across the UK and has significant positive influence on people’s health.
“The initial challenges with lockdown meant golf had to close in Britain, but the nature of the game means it can, and should, return quickly provided there are steps taken by all involved to maintain social distancing and to meet any other government instruction.
“I would like to say well done to all the different bodies involved. What they are doing now will make a huge difference and has the potential to make golf all the stronger if this co-operative way of working can be continued.”
There are unconfirmed reports that the current lockdown may be eased after 7th May, and if that is true there is surely great hope that golf can be played again.
Related: What will golf look like post-lockdown?
Competitions, matches and clubhouse bars re-opening are still a very long way off, but one-or-two-balls playing with tee times stretched out is what we can expect.
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Elliott Heath is our Senior Staff Writer and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news, features, courses and travel sections as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Elliott has interviewed some huge names in the golf world including Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Bernd Wiesberger and Scotty Cameron as well as a number of professionals on the DP World and PGA Tours. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as four Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays at West Byfleet Golf Club in Surrey, where his handicap index floats anywhere between 2-6. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Max
Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM Max
Irons: Mizuno MP5 4-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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