Competitive golf will not return on Monday, June 8 as Irish golf chiefs had originally hoped.
Golf courses opened their doors again to the public a few weeks ago under the first phase of the Government’s Roadmap for the Re-Opening of the Economy and Society.
And the Golfing Union of Ireland had also indicated that competitions would restart during Phase 2 of the Roadmap along with people playing in four-balls.
But while four-balls have been the given green light, the Expert Group on the Return to Sport have decided not to permit competitions being run.
The new is a financial blow for clubs, and the GUI, along with Irish Ladies Golf Union, have told that they argued to Sport Ireland that "golf competitions, played under that conditions set out in Appendix 2 of the Unions Phase 2 Protocol, posed no additional risk to golfers."
They received the following reasoning from Sport Ireland behind the Expert Grop's decision: “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.”
