To play or not to play?
As the COVID-19 pandemic brings much of the world to a standstill, the golf industry continues to debate the safety of remaining open for play. While many courses in the U.S. are taking extra precautions and remaining open, Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum has advised all of Canada to stay home.
“I think it’s really a normal thought to see golf as a great activity with regards to some of the social distancing guidelines that were given, but I would give further thought to the fact that it’s a lot more interactive than you may think at the outset,” Applebaum told The Canadian Press. “Everyone has to do their duty to not come into contact with others.
“So we’ll refer to the experts who are giving these guidelines and give Canada a chance to really plank the curve, not just flatten it.”
It’s still early season in Canada and while many public courses have closed, operators at private clubs will be making decisions in the coming days and weeks.
“I will tell you that the overwhelming majority are thinking about the health and wellness of their staff, and of their overall memberships, and so the majority of them have closed their doors until further notice,” said Applebaum.
“It’s on a club-by-club basis and we’ve been providing the guidance of wanting to have everyone think about what (public health officials) have told us are the best things we can to be safe, be healthy, and to try and do all the right things to eradicate the coronavirus.”
On Sunday evening, Team Canada announced that they will not be sending any Olympic or Paralympic athletes to Tokyo if the are held as planned this summer. The Canadian committees urged the IOC to postpone by one year.
That means that if the Games continue as scheduled, Canada’s beloved star, Brooke Henderson, will not be competing. Henderson is the winningest player in Canadian history – male or female – with nine LPGA titles. She’s the highest-ranked Canadian golfer at No. 7 in the world. Adam Hadwin is the highest-ranked male at No. 25.
