The Victorian Government has given the green light for competition golf to return at metropolitan clubs and facilities in Melbourne from Friday.

The changes were announced by the government this morning to come into place from 11.59 Thursday night.

For the past week, golfers were restricted to social play only in metropolitan Melbourne clubs because of the lockdown enforced after a Covid-19 outbreak in the city.

Clubs and facilities outside the metropolitan area returned to competition golf last week.

Golfers in Melbourne will also be able to travel longer distances to their clubs and facilities from Friday, with the acting Premier, James Merlino, announcing that the 25-kilometre limit will be lifted as well. ------------------

From 11.59pm Thursday June 17 the following restrictions apply. Golf Australia will communicate again upon the release of the directives.

Operations Advice – Metropolitan Melbourne

The following information, published by the Victorian Government, applies to all clubs and facilities in Metropolitan Melbourne (under the current restrictions the Mornington Peninsula is designated as being within Metropolitan Melbourne).

Changes to Golf Operations:

• Clubs/Facilities may play Competition Golf

• Indoor coaching and play may resume with a group limit of 10 people up to total of 50 people

• Spectators are not permitted except for those necessary for the event, for example, teachers, instructors, trainers, coaches, rules officials, parents, carers and guardians.

• There is no limit on the number of players that can play provided that a 100 metre distance can be maintained between groups;

Changes to Clubhouse Operations

Food and beverage service can resume for a maximum of 150 people per venue, for seated service only. This 150-person cap must be observed as follows:

• A maximum cap of 75 people plus staff indoors

• Group sizes limited to a maximum of 10

• The maximum caps are allowed provided the density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres can be observed.

Changes to General Operations:

• Facemasks must be carried at all times, must be worn indoors unless you have a lawful exemption, and are recommended to be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres of physical distancing cannot be maintained. Further info at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks

• Changerooms may now be used by all patrons, provided the density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres is adhered to at all times

• There are no restrictions on movement with travel now permitted between metropolitan & regional areas.

Operations Advice – Regional Victoria

The following information, provided by the Victorian Government, applies to all clubs and facilities in Regional Victoria.

Changes to Golf Operations:

• Spectators are permitted within venue limits

• There is no limit on the number of players that can play provided that a 100 metre distance can be maintained between groups;

Changes to Clubhouse Operations:

Food and beverage service can resume for a maximum of 300 people per venue, for seated service only. This 300-person cap must be observed as follows:

• Group sizes limited to a maximum of 50

• The maximum caps are allowed provided the density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres can be applied.

• Venues that are smaller than 600 square metres may operate under the density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres up to a maximum of 150 patrons, provided they have a COVID Marshal at the entrance to confirm ‘green tick’ check in before entry. Venues can have up to 25 patrons before the density quotient applies.

Changes to General Operations:

• Facemasks must be carried at all times, must be worn indoors unless you have a lawful exemption, and are recommended to be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres of physical distancing cannot be maintained. Further info at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks

• Changerooms may now be used by all patrons, provided the density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres is adhered to at all times

• There are no restrictions on movement with travel now permitted between metropolitan & regional areas and clubs/facilities are no longer required to check the address of patrons attending your venue

Further Restriction Information

Once released, the Victorian Government directives can be found at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19. The relevant directives are:

• Stay Safe Directions

• Restricted Activity Direction

Further support for affected businesses:

The Victorian Government has announced that Business Support grants are open. Further details are located here.

Further support for affected businesses:

The Victorian Government has announced that business support grants are open. Further details are located here.

Golf Australia contact:

If you require additional information or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact John Stamp, Club & Facility Support Manager – Victoria, on 0418 395 140 or john.stamp@golf.org.au

PGA of Australia contact:

If PGA members require additional information or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact David Barker, Senior State Manager on (03) 8320 1911 or dbarker@pga.org.au