GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn has admitted to the severe challenges the industry in South Africa is battling with under the current Covid-19 lockdown.
In a recent interview with Afrikaans radio station RSG, Hepburn acknowledges the restriction that has been forced upon the game of golf, which meant the closure of every golf course and facility across the country.
But, the organisation has been adjusting to these uncertain times and have been in close contact with government officials on what guidelines to follow in terms of maintenance work.
‘Our engagements with the department of sport have gone along the lines of what the regulations say you can and cannot do in terms of critical maintenance, which can not be delayed for more than 21 days,’ said Hepburn.
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The importance of ensuring the standard maintenance work of courses has become top priority to Hepburn and his team as it could lead to emphatic financial losses.
‘It is not about how pretty you can keep your golf course during this lockdown. It is about ensuring the golf course doesn’t die because if golf courses die and get into a state of disrepair and in order to revive those courses the cost really ranks up.’
Hepburn admits that as a result some clubs might go down the sink, unable to resurrect themselves and could be forced to close their doors.
But, while adhering to strict government regulations clubs have been allowed to deploy skeleton staff on their courses for basic maintenance.
