Border and North East golf courses have adopted different policies as the coronavirus crisis continues to change lives.
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As of 2pm Wednesday, the courses at Howlong Golf Resort and Commercial Albury Golf Club remain closed, although the latter was advising on a recorded message at the pro shop on Wednesday that the course remained open for social play for members only.
Naturally, like all facets of life, social distancing is paramount at every golf club.
Howlong made its decision after Prime Minister Scott Morrison's press conference on Tuesday night, where he introduced a number of bans, such as swimming at public pools, which came into effect at midnight on Wednesday.
"As of 7am this morning (Wednesday), the golf course was closed, that's in response to the Prime Minister's announcement of people being encouraged to stay at home to contain coronavirus and effectively self-isolate," Howlong Golf Resort president Kim Gray said.
"We took the position that it was socially responsible of the golf club to close the course, albeit our desire would have been to remain open."
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Corowa Golf Club, Wodonga Golf Club, Wangaratta Golf Club, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort and Black Bull Golf Club, Yarrawonga, were all open as of Wednesday and were implementing strict measures.
Yarrawonga Mulwala, for example, has installed foam in the bottom of cups, so players won't touch the bottom of those cups when picking up their ball from the hole, while Black Bull has distance markers over the course, so players won't come within the required spacial restrictions.
"We are obviously following standards that the (Federal) government has implemented, we've left our flagsticks in the hole, but you're not allowed to remove them, all of our bunkers are GUR (ground under repair), so you can't go in and touch the rake (among a raft of changes)," Corowa Golf Club head pro Rob Rowe said.
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Golf NSW met with the NSW Government on Wednesday with confirmation the State's golf clubs can continue golfing operations provided social distancing regulations are met.
"This is for clubs that wish to continue the operation of golf going forward in the foreseeable future until we're told otherwise to lockdown," Golf NSW media and digital manager David Tease said.
However, Golf NSW says if regulations are ignored, it could result in a State ban.
"Basically, we're doing everything possible to keep Australia running, I think that's what 'ScoMo's' (PM Scott Morrison) big slogan is, isn't it? We're trying to provide, as much as possible for our members and the community, a safe space to be outside," Rowe said of Corowa's stance.
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