England Golf CEO sends letter to Boris Johnson urging course closure U-turn
England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson is a signatory on a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to rethink the decision to close golf courses during the second national lockdown.
England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson is one of 12 signatures on a letter written to the Prime Minister in an attempt to change his mind about the decision to close golf courses during the second national lockdown.
The decision was up for debate after a petition to keep golf courses open reached over 100,000 signatures, but on Monday Boris Johnson confirmed that courses will be remaining closed for the four week lockdown which starts November 5.
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MP Craig Tracey, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, has written a letter to the Prime Minister detailing why golf courses should remain open, which has been signed by high-profile CEO's in the golf industry, including the executive director of the R&A.
Physical and mental health were cited as two of the most important reasons why golf courses should remain open, as well as how playing the sport can help prevent things such as heart disease and diabetes.
The letter read:
Dear Prime Minister,
During the lockdown implemented earlier this year, the game of Golf was able to clearly demonstrate that it could be enjoyed in a COVID safe way, which is why it was one of the first sports to be able to return once restrictions were relaxed. This was a privilege that the sport took incredibly seriously and accordingly adopted the highest possible standards to keep the participants safe, which have remained strictly in place to date. The average golf course covers a 60-hectare space, which on average would see only 96 people on it at any one time, which makes it the perfect setting for people of all ages and abilities to get their daily exercise in an extremely safe environment.
We appreciate that there are often misconceptions about who golf is accessible to, but the reality is that there are over 3m people who regularly play the game in Great Britain spanning all abilities, age groups, backgrounds, gender, and faiths. It also provides welcome access to green spaces for many people who aren’t able to access them elsewhere and has proven health benefits. Leaders in public health recognise the benefits it can offer in not just tackling physical inactivity, but also its contribution to the prevention of a range of non-communicable diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes as well as certain cancers.
Whilst we agree that certain measures will have to be adapted, such as closing clubhouses, these should not be seen as prohibitive to allowing play to continue. Golf clubs in England have already embraced a raft of changes with the vast majority offering online booking services, having pre-scheduled arrival times to eradicate contact with other people and rule changes which ensure players stay socially distanced. In reality, a round of golf affords greater COVID security than comparable activities of walking, running and cycling in an urban area.
In view of the undeniable health and mental wellbeing benefits that golf offers to a significant proportion of the country, we would ask that you consider exempting it from the proposed restrictions, should they come in to force on Wednesday. Should either you or any of your team require any further information, we are available to offer this at your convenience.
