NZ Golf Postpones Events

Good afternoon,

New Zealand Golf has for some time been closely monitoring the very concerning COVID-19 outbreak with the guidance of the Ministry of Health, Sport NZ, HPSNZ and the Auckland City Council.

The current operating environment is unlike anything experienced before in New Zealand and it is a fast-moving and constantly changing situation. This fluidity is possibly the most significant challenge as we look ahead.

There are many matters to consider for the golf sector and we are very conscious that the global COVID-19 situation is raising unprecedented concerns for golf clubs specifically related to the viability of remaining open and/or running events and functions. 

Taking the advice from the experts at the Ministry of Health and Sport NZ, we have updated guidance information for clubs loaded at https://www.golf.co.nz/NewsMedia/Article.aspx?id=4192

Feel free to direct any queries to this webpage as this information is being updated each day as new advice and guidance from the government and others is released. An email will be sent to all clubs later this afternoon with the advice as of today.

Our number one priority at all times is to consider the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, golf participants and the wider community. With that in mind, and taking the guidance received from the Ministry of Health and Sport New Zealand, there are a number of steps the New Zealand Golf business is taking effective immediately.

1. 1.              All New Zealand Golf events, conferences and functions are being cancelled or postponed through until at least 10 May 2020.
2. 2.              Attendance at international events has been cancelled for the foreseeable future.
3. 3.              A stop on all international travel is in place and all non-essential domestic travel has been cancelled.
4. 4.              Our remote office working plans have been updated and a trial of closing the New Zealand Golf office and having all staff work remotely will be undertaken next week.

New Zealand Golf Events
As many of you will have seen, the New Zealand Government has placed strict controls around people entering New Zealand and many events, sporting occasions and gatherings around New Zealand are being cancelled or postponed to reduce the threat of COVID-19 spreading.

New Zealand Golf has carefully considered our upcoming event schedule and made the decision to cancel or postpone all events through until at least 10 May. This decision has been taken with the support and input of the PGA, host clubs, and a range of other stakeholders.

While many of our events will have less than 500 people and be largely community events, we have made this decision based on our desire to not place any staff, players or other participants in a position of risk.

Some events have international attendees who are required to undertake a self-isolation process and many of our domestic attendees need to take flights, stay in hotel accommodation and be generally be placed in large group environments to partake.

Considering the health, safety and wellbeing of all, we are erring on the side of caution and ensuring we are not part of enabling a group environment where COVID-19 may be transmitted.

The affected golf events are:

• NZ Women’s Autumn Foursomes, 24 March - postponed
• Jennian Homes Charles Tour: Autex Muriwai Open, 26 March, postponed
• Jennian Homes Charles Tour: Barfoot and Thompson Akarana Open, 2 April, postponed
• New Zealand Women’s Masters, 3 April - postponed
• South Island Age Group Championships, 22 April, postponed

All these events are postponed with the intention of playing at dates to be finalised later in the year.

Other affected events include:

• ·         New Zealand Golf Talent Development Camp, 5 and 6 April – postponed.
• ·         New Zealand Golf Awards Dinner, 4 May – cancelled.
• ·         Chairman’s Dinner for District Associations and Life Members, 4 May 2020 – cancelled
• ·         District Association Forum, 5 May – cancelled
• ·         Future Leaders Programme, 3 and 4 May – postponed
• ·         New Zealand Golf AGM, 5 May – to be held by video conference (note that updated notice will be distributed next week).

We trust that you all understand New Zealand Golf’s decision on these matters has been based on information from experts and with the health and wellbeing of players, our staff and the general community in mind.

You will no doubt have some queries on the above. Please be in touch with me to discuss – our phones and emails are running absolutely red hot so we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Kind regards,

Dean Murphy
Chief Executive
New Zealand Golf