Golf roaring back to life

And if players religiously follow protocols, golf should remain a safe sport

Despite the coronavirus threat, golf courses are humming with activity.

With strict safety protocols in place, an outbreak is unlikely and a few clubs have started to organize activities that could hopefully bring back normalcy in the sport.

At the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas, a two-week event started on 14 July dubbed as the Mid Annual Golf Festival “Magfest.”

Open to members and guests, the unique event allows participants to play as many times and try to beat their personal best score.

The best individual performances will be recognized at the end of the festival period.

A virtual award ceremony will be held on 1

August.

At the Tagaytay Midlands Golf and Country Club in Talisay, Batangas, Golf Batangas is organizing a two-day golf event on 11 August and 18 August.

A player may play in both days with the better score to be counted.

Trophies will be awarded to winners in different divisions.

Over at the ultra-exclusive Manila Golf Club, the regular monthly medal tournament will resume next week with close to 70 members expected to take part.

Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia, head of the rules and games committee, said the tournament is spread the whole day, making it easier to enforce social distancing.

These club activities bode well for the resumption of golf tournaments nationwide.

Going back to the coronavirus threat, there is no fool-proof method to keep COVID-19positive players away from golf courses, especially if he or she doesn’t show any symptoms.

With the way safety protocols are set up, it is unlikely players would get the virus from the golf course.

For one, the course is a vast playground — the only time players get close to each other is when they meet on the tee mound and the greens. Even then, it is easy to maintain safe distance.

With mask on, the threat is further diminished.

There may have been reports of players testing positive for the virus, but I doubt if they got it from playing golf.

There are a thousand ways to get it, the most common of which is staying indoors with large concentration of people.

Otherwise, we should be hearing of virus outbreaks among golfers by now.

Still, some golf clubs are not taking chances and close their facilities for disinfection, which to my mind is unnecessary.

Regular sanitation and disinfection should now be part of the new normal. Every door knob, table, chair or anything that our hands touch should be wiped clean every day.

And if players religiously follow protocols, golf should remain a safe sport.