The face of the sport in Wodonga is questioning how Victorian courses remain closed, while those in NSW can stay open during the coronavirus outbreak.
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While Wodonga Golf Club professional Gavin Vearing is far from filthy on the situation and understands there's more important issues, he says it's hard to follow why golf has been banned south of the Murray River since March 27, yet NSW courses re-opened again last Wednesday after a 48-hour shutdown.
"I'm happy to accept the decision that has been made, it's probably a little disappointing that it's not a blanket ban, especially for us living on the Border when every other state is open, except for Victoria," he said.
Golf Australia made a recommendation on March 27 that, based on the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services directive issued as part of the Victorian Government's Stage 2 restrictions regarding COVID-19, all Victorian facilities would close until April 13.
On Monday, Golf Australia advised all NSW golf courses to close until further notice.
However, after reconsideration, the Office of Sport - NSW Government, advised on Wednesday that golf is considered an activity that can continue to be played in line with Public Health Orders, including social distancing.
"I feel a lot safer going to the golf course than the shops," Vearing said in relation to social distancing.
"If we were able to play, we would want to restrict it to members only or you have to live within a certain postcode, but not because we want to be exclusive, we just want to be doing the right thing."
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Vearing has had a mixed response from members, with Wodonga politician Bill Tilley a member.
"I'm a golfer, but I have to accept that at present the best advice is that you should stay at home," the Member for Benambra said.
"At this very point in time we are on the precipice of whether this thing takes off or not - we are at a critical point in this battle to contain the spread of the virus.
"Golf Australia remains of the view that golf is a non-essential activity, a view they accept sits comfortably with the Federal Government directive .. to "stay at home" unless absolutely necessary."
