Scottish Golf lobbying Scottish Government over clubhouse closure in worst-hit Covid areas

Scottish Golf is lobbying the Scottish Government on behalf of member clubs fearing a "significant financial impact" from the current closure of clubhouses.

Scottish Golf is asking member clubs to take part in a survey to understand the impact of clubhouse closures due to current Covid-19 restrictions on the hospitality industry. Picture: Scottish Golf

Golf clubs in the five Scottish health board areas hit with stricter new Covid-19 measures by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon a fortnight ago closed their clubhouses in line with hospitality restrictions.

Those restrictions in and around Glasgow, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothians and the Forth Valley have now been extended until Monday, 2 November.

On that back of that announcement, Scottish Golf has sent an email to member clubs asking for "urgent" reaction to "help us understand the financial impact of restrictions on golf club hospitality".

Karin Sharp, the governing body's chief operating officer, says in the email: "With speculation surrounding a new tiered approach to regional restrictions, we recognise that similar regional restrictions for hospitality could go beyond this period and that could pose a significant financial impact to affiliated clubs in the affected areas.

"To that end, we have been liaising with our partners at the Scottish Government and sportscotland to voice the concerns shared with us by our clubs.

"These conversations have been constructive, however in order for them to be more impactful in truly lobbying on behalf of the golf industry, we have been asked to provide a financial impact assessment to support our concerns as to how current and potential future restrictions are impacting golf clubs.

"In order to collate a current and future snapshot of the financial impact of restrictions, we have produced a short survey and would encourage all clubs to complete this as soon as possible to assist Scottish Golf in representing the situation facing our clubs with the Scottish Government.

“Clubs should note that the information provided through this survey will solely be utilised for lobbying purposes.

"Your immediate attention in completing the short survey will help ensure we provide the factual evidence to government at the earliest opportunity."

The survey asks clubs to give an estimated weekly impact from clubhouse closures and also the number of staff impacted by the current restrictions."Scottish Golf will endeavour to update clubs on the outcomes of our discussions as soon as is possible," adds Sharp.

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