By Rahul Banerji
In a unique initiative, a young woman professional golfer and her lawyer compatriot are petitioning the sports ministry seeking an early re-opening of golf courses around the country.
Meanwhile, in news that could have a significant bearing on the matter, the Karnataka government on Wednesday became the first to announce that golf courses in the state could come back on-stream by the end of the week.
State sports minister C.T Ravi said in Bangalore, “Today I met the chief minister (B.S. Yediyurappa) and discussed the opening of fitness centres, golf courses and giving permission for hotels to provide service… to encourage the revival of tourism at the local level while maintaining social distancing.
“Also, golf is something where distance is usually maintained, they (golfers) had come and submitted an appeal. I brought it to the notice of CM…we will give permission, ensuring safety,” he added.
This comes a day after it was announced that the third phase of the Covid-19 enforced lockdown would come to an end on May 17 and a fourth phase would have a “new form with new”.
Meanwhile, floated by “concerned members of the golf fraternity”, the petition that is to be handed over to sports minister Kiren Rijiju and senior bureaucrats in his ministry is an initiative of golfer Vani Kapoor and lawyer Mani Chander.
Speaking to Teetimetales, Vani said on Wednesday, “This was Mani’s idea as she has been hearing about the large number of daily wage earners employed by and around the golf industry who have been affected.
‘Significant issue’
“As many caddies and others who work on our golf courses are migrant workers, they are a significant part of the issue that has seen so many jobless people on the roads walking home.
“Even if we golfers give up on using caddies, clubs could hereafter ensure that they still charge a caddy fee and use that money for the benefit of their non-regular workers so that the effect of such widespread job losses is at least catered to somewhat.”
In essence, the petition seeks to bring to the fore the plight of not just the daily wagers in the sport, but also those who look to it as a profession.
“In light of the current circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the present representation is being humbly submitted on behalf of golf players, some of whom are Olympic contenders; caddies, golf coaches and ground/support staff of the golf fraternity,” the plea said.
“The economic losses suffered by this forced pause, while not unique to sports, apply to lakhs of individuals of the golf industry as well as their families. A portion of these are migrant workers and daily wagers who would fall in the unorganised sector.
‘Reasonable case’
“We believe that there is a reasonable case for opening up golf courses and training facilities as it will help thousands to come out of the looming financial crises and also help the state economy substantially,” it added.
The points put forward in the petition included:
“That shutting down of courses and suspension of competitive events has severe legal and economic consequences for all stakeholders of the golf industry.
“For many it is a matter of sustenance and thousands of livelihoods are dependent on it – players, coaches, support staff, caddies, greenkeepers, club staff, food and beverage staff, event organizers, their employees, and so on. Golf is an entire industry.
“The reality is that even under normal circumstances, apart from top 5-10 percent (of) players on the Professional Golf Tour of India, the others are hand-to-mouth. Most players under normal circumstances anyway do not break even, with expenses (travel, stay, food, practice and caddie fee) outdoing income for most.
‘Bearing the brunt’
“That so far as caddies and green keepers are concerned, they are bearing the brunt of the lockdown as most of them are migrants. It is submitted that there are very few clubs that have caddies or green keepers on their rolls and at most places, they are casual labourers.
“Under normal circumstances, caddies would earn a daily wage of about Rs. 500-600, however, they no longer have any source of income and are struggling to survive.
“The Caddies Welfare Trust of the Delhi Golf Club has written to the Home Ministry to consider opening the golf courses in the country. If it is not addressed, these people will start going home and it might lead to another migration issue.
“For example, in the NCR region alone, there are about 2,500 to 3,000 caddies, most being migrants.
“Moreover, these caddies have to feed their families as well and their resources are limited. Since resources are limited, it will become hard for golf clubs to continue to provide such assistance to caddies going forward.
Long-term damage
“Any compromise in maintenance of golf courses towards irrigation, mowing, application of turf protectants, weedicides and fertilizers would ruin the courses causing further economic losses.
“Allowing green keepers and course/administrative staff to work during early hours of the mornings will provide them employment and help maintain the golf courses, with no risk of spreading the disease.
“Many golfers in India are elderly and the sport is a way for them to get exercise while also being able to maintain social distancing.
“Since golf is a non-contact sport, there is a reasonable case for opening up courses and training centres in the country. Golf is considered as one of the safest sporting activities as it can be played while maintaining social distancing.”
The petition also suggested several measures – along the lines proposed by the R&A and by the Golf Indusry Association (GIA) in India – to ensure safe golf:
Suggested changes
Tee times can be fixed at 20 minute intervals. Limit tee times to control number of people at any given time.
All golfers/coaches/caddies/support staff who enter facilities must enter through one gate after proper screening and sanitization.
Use of boom spray vehicles, tractor mounted sprayers or battery-operated sprayers for sanitization of entire property and maximum coverage of liquid disinfectants.
Golf course practices of mowing, irrigation, and labour work may commence at 3 am and finish by 6 am, before the start of the game.
Players and staff to keep a distance of 10 feet from each other at all times.
Use of golf carts restricted to only one player per cart with caddies in the back, each of whom will wear gloves and masks at all times. Caddies can also assist using golf trolleys after sanitizing properly.
Bunker rakes only by one designated course support staff on each hole.
Alternate mats at golf ranges so that adequate distance is maintained. Limit number of players to be allowed at any given time.
Locker room facilities to be used only by one fourball (4 persons) at a time while maintaining social distancing.
Minimal food and beverage facilities.
Payments to be made through online modes and cash to be avoided.
Wearing of masks and gloves compulsory for players, caddies, coaches and other support staff.
Moreover, many international golf tours are planning to resume events. United Kingdom which has been severely affected by COVID-19, Dubai, South Korea and most states in the US too have opened up their golf courses to help the economy.
Allowing the golf industry to open up while maintaining social distancing norms, would not only enable thousands of people associated with the sport to sustain themselves, but also help the economy.
This would also be in the best interests of our Olympic contenders who now find it hard to keep up their games due to the lockdown, the petition added.
Many of the points raised by the two, as also concerned golf associations and other associated bodies are easy to implement and follow.
And as Karnataka has shown, there is a larger issue that must be recognised, and acted upon as close to half a million people directly and indirectly associated with golf are affected as things stand.
This is a live link to the petition: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Wrt7UX3JDk1gM3zSegoILsDtToYIwA9SIUXCNj-Rhv0/edit?usp=sharing
Also read: UK golf courses re-open on Wednesday; India must not fall too far behind
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