Ghana Golf braces for return to competition in September

Golfers were cleared to return to courses for training sessions last Monday but the Ghana Golf Association says it will take at least three months for a return to competitive action.

Welcoming the decision by the government to ease the COVID-19 restrictions on non-contact sports, the President of the GGA, Mr Mike Aggrey said his members have no intention to stage any competitive events at this time.

He disclosed that the Association made specific requests to the government's COVID-19 response team last month for golfers to be allowed to practice ahead of return to competitive action in the latter part of the year.

"We stated the fact that the game of golf naturally lends itself to social distancing and we had already made arrangements for the club's to put in place equipment for washing and sanitising hands at the clubhouses and after ever three holes," Mr Aggrey told Graphic Online in an interview.

"We made the point that walking in an area that covers 60 to 80 hectares was enough for people to space out even if you didn't have to and that's how we presented it as an individual non-contact game and it was well-received".

He said the golf club's had also been earlier advised to put in place electronic payments and booking systems to avoid human contact which made their case easier.

Disruption of peak season

Mr Aggrey disclosed that the Coronavirus will cost the Association and golf clubs a lot of revenue given that the second half of the year is the peak period for golf tournaments.

He, however, remained hopeful that the Ghana Open Championship will come-off as scheduled in September.

"Usually, the events tend to start around now, when the rainy season starts and the courses are most pristine, that is the best time to play tournaments.

At the beginning of the year, it is quiet and from the second part of the year is when we gear up to play tournaments, we have lost sponsorship and revenue and we will continue to lose out until about September when we start to play tournaments".

Guidelines for return

Meanwhile, the R&A which governs the sport worldwide, has published guidelines for playing with COVID-19 restrictions.

The guidelines include: not playing if you have COVID-19 symptoms or are in high-risk groups, not shaking hands on the course, keeping a safe distance of two metres apart from anyone at all times and using hand sanitiser before play.

Other tips are not touching the pin flags, smoothing bunkers with your feet or a club, and not swapping scorecards or equipment.