By Rahul Banerji
Covid-19 continues to not just throttle daily life around the world but also add steadily to the mortality count, making it the most existential threat many of us have ever faced.
It is the uncertainty over the corona-virus, Covid-19, and how it attacks that is its most lethal aspect. From so many accounts, it is the small slip, the little carelessness that can lead to potentially deadly consequences and makes it such a threat.
In the circumstances, cutting back on all daily activity is the most sensible way to go, and be as aware of the precautions that are needed to try and keep Covid-19 ay bay.
At the same time, staying confined within four walls can also begin to tell on mental and physical health over a period of time. From a cursory survey of opinion, unless there is a total lock-down in place, a basic minimum of physical activity is advisable.
Follow rules
In other words, don’t break the law, but don’t neglect yourself either if the option exists.
Under the circumstances, golf continues to be one of the most viable options for exercise and time spent out in the open. Again, this is only if there are no local, state of national laws in force to keep people indoors.
There are of course, some basic commonsense guidelines to follow. Age, medical conditions, present state of health (fever, coughs/colds, etc), keeping a safe distance from companions, on-course precautions, etc are all important factors that need to be kept in mind.
Basically, if the option exists, there is no reason to stop playing, If you can find a course open for business, that is.
Golf course update
Keeping that in mind, here is an update in available facilities. Please also note that Sunday, March 22, is a national lock-down day from 7 am to 9 pm.
The Delhi Golf Club remains open for players, with certain restrictions. Off-course facilities are shut but with thermal screening and some essentials like personal health conditions for all entrants in place, the DGC has returned to its roots of being a golf course. Non-Indians are not allowed.
The Noida Golf Course on Friday closed its doors for all comers till March 31. So far, members were being allowed to use the course but that too is now off the table.
In a notice posted on the day, the secretary noted, “As it has become apparent that self quarantine and social distancing are the most effective precautionary measures to contain/negate spread of Covid-19, for the benefit of all concerned, entry to NGC will remain closed w.e.f 1.30 pm today up to 31st March.”
The course at the Hindan Sports Complex in the IAF base is shut till March 31.
Jaypee Greens and Jaypee Wishtown are open on Saturday but a final decision on further operations will be announced in due course.
The Classic Golf and Country Club near Gurgaon, in a message to members said, In furtherance to the Givernment advisories on the Coronavirus (Covid-19), we wish to inform that operations at Classic GCC shall remain suspended with effect from 21st March until further intimation.’
In Hyderabad, both the Hyderabad Golf Association and Boulder Hills courses are shut till March 31.
In Bangalore, the Karnataka Golf Association course remains open with facilities restricted. All tournaments have been postponed till new dates are announced.
On the outskirts of the city, the Prestige Golfshire course is closed till March 31. A notice posted on by the management said, “… in view of the recent notification issued by Karnataka Government about the spread of COVID-19 … the management at Prestige Golfshire and Prestige Augusta has decided to shut down both clubs including the golf course until March 31st“.
Also near Bangalore, the Eagleton Golf Resort has shut operations following the deputy commissioner’s orders, till March 31.
Also read: Golf bodies come together for some Corona-virus do’s and don’ts
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