Course Maintenance Update - Thursday 26th 3.00pm

NZ Golf head Dean Murphy's update is below, a key component being the issue of course maintenance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All the district associations have been communicating with NZ Golf around their queries and concerns over the last week or so, and NZ Golf has been communicating with the Government, the most significant issue being that of the ability for clubs to carry out course maintenance. Dean has been strongly advocating for an exemption for golf in this area, an ability to continue course maintenance, since the middle of last week.The Ministry have been applying to exemption requests that  "if it's not lifesaving or life threatening" it's not an exception.Dean has been pushing hard on the key area, that the green surfaces and surrounds are critical and will not be easily recoverable if at all, after the lockdown period. This push for an exemption is just one of approx. 4,000 exemptions being sought from all quarters of NZ. Dean has completed a phone discussion direct with the Minister at 1.15pm today and the following is the current situation from the Ministry. All course maintenance must cease if it is indeed occurring, immediately, this being the case since 11.59pm Wednesday evening. The Minister has committed to attempt to give a final position on the exemption request in the next 6 hours.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Golf Club and Facility Guidance (COVID-19)
Last guidance issued: Thursday 26 March 2020

Key Update
Until formal advice to the contrary is received, we recommend that no maintenance of golf facilities is undertaken during the shutdown period.

Kind regards,

Dean Murphy
Chief Executive
New Zealand Golf