Allow Essential Maintenance of Golf Courses During Lockdown Period

Comments

#1404

Im signing because my 8 year old nephew survived cancer but as a result of treatment and impact on his body, he had to find a new passion, that passion is golf. I'd hate to see golf courses close due to severe deterioration which would then impact his wellbeing and also my brothers, who now has a sport to enjoy with his son again.

Sarah Pratlet (Melbourne , 2020-04-08)

#1406

I want my golf club to be viable after lockdown

Mike Jensen (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1407

Agree

Hans Gerlich (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1415

The greens must be maintained as they will cost millions (nationwide) to repair if let go. Also the demise of exercise for the majority of golfers who are over 65 (best exercise for old folk, not to mention the social interaction).

Guy Walmsley (Martinborough, 2020-04-08)

#1416

We have enough financial catching up to worry about.

Menno Oortgiesen (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1424

I'm signing because do I not only love golf and want to continue to play but appreciate the huge amount of time and money that goes into the courses particularly the greens by our passionate green keepers. If the greens are not cared for there will be years of work lost. Please let our green keepers have access to their greens. Not only green keepers but all those turf caretakers in NZ. Be kind

Ann Davies (Levin, 2020-04-08)

#1425

This will enable golf to reume soon aooner after the lockdown and is important for the resumption of the enjoyment of the game. This includes both the social and health benefits of golf.

Boyd Kenna (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1427

Important to maintain ability to generate income after level 4 and have greens not destroyed. The cost to fix the greens after would be too huge for many clubs

Linda Geary (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#1428

Golf courses are in most instances part of the local community. In addition post Covid they can form part of a revival of internal NZ tourism by NZers that will help replace international golf tourists.

John Wright (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1432

The greens will deteriorate beyond repair

Gloria Mansfield (OAmaru, 2020-04-08)

#1435

The risk is low and the cost for the clubs getting the course back would be too high. Many clubs already at financial risk

Suzanne Townsend (Wellington , 2020-04-08)

#1437

I am the greens committee convenor fo my club. Hard to watch all the good work deteriorating for no safety gain.

Kevin Mackay (Masterton, 2020-04-08)

#1440

We need the Greens to be protected as well as the Fairways. If they left unattended the cost for restoration will be enormous.

Michael Kemp (Trentham Upper Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#1441

I am on the committee at my club Shandon - I know the damage that can be caused and the cost to repair a course when left in a case such as this. I have worked in the industry for 20+ yrs and it will cripple some clubs and NZ Golf if not allowed to do minor regular maint

clayton more (welington, 2020-04-08)

#1442

It’s the right thing to do.

Robert Larsen (Hawera , 2020-04-08)

#1443

Our clubs need to be maintained in order that they don’t do almost un reversible damage costing clubs more than they can afford . One person on a mower cannot pass Covid to anyone else and there are plenty of safe measures that can and should be taken

Ian Lockwood (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#1444

Our club's green's especially and the fairways are in dire need of care & essential maintenance.

John Duncan (Upper Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#1445

I’m signing because I don’t want to wait a further six months post lockdown to play golf on suitable surfaces

Grant Watkins (WELLINGTON , 2020-04-08)

#1446

I would like to see the greens around NZ looked after and the golf in g community back at full strength after this lockdown

Mike Macrae (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1448

It's important to be able to keep the golf courses in good condition. Letting them deteriorate will cost significant amounts of money in the long term

Tomas Ribeiro (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1450

It’s common sense if the work is being down keeping social distancing.

Doug Spencer (Pegasus, 2020-04-08)

#1455

Unless minimal maintenance is carried out immediately the playing surfaces will require significant restoration with significant funds required. Our club has no surpluses and has significant debt. We are not alone in this situation.

Alan Young (Hutt city, 2020-04-08)

#1457

I support this petition because when the Covid-19 restrictions start to be eased, one of the key areas to assist people return to normality (alongside all the economic and financial issues) will be the return of community sport.

To this end, agreement needs to be given to allowing essential maintenance to be carried out particularly on turf-based activities such as sports fields, golf courses, bowling greens etc. The damage that will be done to greens on golf courses with four or more weeks of neglect, for example, is extensive, and will require considerable time, money and effort to rectify. Deterioration in the condition of playing fields and golf courses is already apparent after just 14 days of the Level-4 restrictions with no maintenance.

Maintenance of playing fields and golf courses – mainly mowing – is an essentially solitary activity anyway, and can easily be accommodated under the strict isolation rules currently in place. There are a lot of groundsmen and council workers sitting around at home not being allowed to work at the moment, whereas they could be sensibly employed performing essential maintenance. This will enable these facilities to be opened without delay once Covid-19 restrictions are eased, even if areas such as clubhouses are out of bounds for a little longer.

I am sure that organisations like NZ Golf, the NZ Greenkeepers Association, NZ Bowls and Local Authorities are very cognisant of the need to practice physical separation, and could easily organise their staff to work with those restrictions in mind.

David Stevens (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1459

Our exercise is golf and as an older person we have been advised to stay home so when this is lifted we want to get back out to our golf course which if not regularly maintained during the lockdown will not be ready. Greenskeepers practice social distancing all the time doing their maintenance work.

Richard Gibbs (Whitby, 2020-04-08)

#1460

It’s a no brainer!

Jackson Gaut (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1463

It is a health & welfare situation to get golfers out as soon as possible. Another month after restrictions lift to get courses ready is really crazy when they can be safely maintained during lockdown.

Venna Seymour (Raumati Beach, 2020-04-08)

#1468

It is absolutely criminal for the government to not let all green keepers to look after their own golf clubs and bowling greens.
The clubs have and do spend hundreds of thousands of $$$ on these greens, and the government want us to stand back and watch this all burn away - criminal

Grant Whelan (Auckland , 2020-04-08)

#1469

It’s too hard to get back if it’s left with no maintenance

Marty Bouzaid (Gold Coast, 2020-04-08)

#1472

I could be out there maintaining our asset protecting jobs and businesses on my own infecting nobody.

Jason Mihaere (Lower hutt, 2020-04-08)

#1473

It is important that the greens be maintained in these trying times for the future of the game and to avoid unnecessary costs of recovery.

Shirley Saunders (Masterton, 2020-04-08)

#1474

This is essential work for the physical/mental health of Kiwis who enjoy golf.

Derek Elliott (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1475

I'm signing this petition because I believe this critical maintenance can be carried out within strict guidelines set by MBIE

Neil Turner (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1476

There is no safety disaster going to happen if professional maintenance is allowed

Chris Cunninghame (Christchurch , 2020-04-08)

#1477

This is critical for the survival of many golf clubs and the future of the game in New Zealand

Graeme Robertson (Tauranga, 2020-04-08)

#1478

I don't believe golf courses should be allowed to go broke when simple maintenance can be safely done in an isolated manner without public contact.

Ross Tilson (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1480

This is important. It could have huge impact on many people and seems ridiculous that one person can not work on courses

Sam SMITH (Taupo, 2020-04-08)

#1481

There is no logical reason why these valuable assets should not be permitted to have essential maintenance and care. In many cases the cost of returning courses to top condition would be far beyond the means of the clubs and their asset would be lost.

Murray Armstrong (Raumati Beach, 2020-04-08)

#1482

Let the greenkeepers work, zero risk re CV19

vic inglis (dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1483

Can easily do it without breaking lockdown issues

Maurice Roberts (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1491

When this lockdown finishes we need something to go back to. Walks are ok but nothing like a round of golf, good or otherwise, and the camaraderie that comes with it.

charmaine fluker (Paekakariki, 2020-04-08)

#1494

because i dont want to see the loss of important community recreational facilities and if left clubs will not be able to afford the expense of course rehanilitation

john freer (whangamata, 2020-04-08)

#1496

A must!
Just essential, no harm, safety, just like farming!!

Gary James (Martinborough , 2020-04-08)

#1498

The cost saving in maintaining minimal maintenance over a short period will be beneficial to Golf in general

Maurice Turner (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1501

Golf courses need to be look after and maintain to a high standard so people can enjoy golf. 👍

Uaale Elisara (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1502

I’m a golfer and we need the greens looked after

Ben Stewart (Auckland , 2020-04-08)

#1503

I fully support the petition.

John Wilkinson (Berhampore, 2020-04-08)

#1504

This work can be done in isolation, has less chance of endangering others than going to supermarkets and provides an essential community service. The longer maintenance is deferred, the more expensive it will be to revert to normality. Numerous clubs are on the financial brink and may have to close if faced with this situation. I see Bowls as being in a similar scenario.

John Ward (Invercargill, 2020-04-08)

#1505

I am signing as I believe the risk to be minimal and the costs to recover lost greens too big a burden on clubs

Frazer Mailman (Masterton, 2020-04-08)

#1506

In order to keep up the constant work over the years and keep the greens especially in good order, constant work needs to be done. However if not, it could costs clubs thousands of dollars and with many in financial difficulty already it could mean the end for some clubs

Kieran Lansdown (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1508

We need to retain golf courses as a significant number of NZ enjoy this sport/recreation.
Letting the greens go will ruin some courses and be prohibitively expensive to return course to a suitable standard.

John Western (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1512

I'm signing because, golf courses like bowling clubs and other sporting clubs are going to be crucial to our mental wellbeing and the fabric on NZ society when we come out of lockdown.

Joff Riley (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1513

Working people, shift workers,security guards, night cleaners and eberyone needs golf courses open for physical and mental exercise and sport and friendship.

Chris Ryan (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#1514

I support the work of NZ Golf

Nevena Nikolic (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#1515

The value of investments golf club members have in maintaining the courses can be protected by staff carrying out essential work while complying with distancing guidelines as many other workers around the country are demonstrating. These assets are to important socially to be allowed to deteriorate

Gary Simpson (Porirua, 2020-04-08)

#1520

Our golf club struggles enough already and don't have the finances to repair the expected damage that NOT maintaining our greens will incur. This will have massive implications for our golf club.

Lemoe Alatipi (Porirua, 2020-04-08)

#1521

Greens will otherwise be destroyed, golf clubs fold and recreation for many, often seniors, gone. Thence increased costs on the medical system.

Bill Rathbun (Tasman, 2020-04-08)

#1525

I'm a member

Thomas Hislop (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1528

I am signing because I am a member of Manor Park golf club and am concerned about the state of our course when lockdown is finally lifted. As Ladies Club Captain I feel it is my duty to sign this petition to save our club.

Julie Steel (Upper Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#1529

I am a golfer who would really hope that our course will be ready for play as soon as the lockdown is lifted.

Robyn Tataurangi (Auckland , 2020-04-08)

#1531

Clubs need to survive financially and can't afford having to spend money unnecessarily.
There will be a couple of us who will need to play a round asap after the lockdown ends!

Peter Odgers (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1532

I'm signing because I agree wholeheartedly with the position which NZ Golf has taken on this matter of Course maintenance.

David Ward (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1536

We need to ensure that the game can be enjoyed by all after this lockdown has finished.

Elliot Western (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1537

I believe that if the job is done with consideration to no human contact there is no harm done.

Chris Leighton (Nelson, 2020-04-08)

#1538

It makes no sense to deny a single worker to be able to work on golf courses to avoid potential threats to cause golf courses to become insolvent. When council workers can cut grass in parks and neighbourhoods with the chance of coming across other people, why oh why can a solo green staff member not work on an empty golf course? Our golf course is a $7m asset, but your denial of letting us looking after it could cause us to lose it. We are willing to accept that we have to act in accordance with guidlines, just give us the ability to save our business and continue to offer our facility to the community, who use it for health and social connections.

Derek Drysdale (Nelson, 2020-04-08)

#1541

I believe maintaining the golf course during the lockdown period can be done in safe manner while maintaining the requirements of social distancing. Golf courses are and will be an important part of peoples recreation after the lockdown and if golf clubs are put into hardship because of the inability to recover this will put strain on their memberships and survival.

Jon Foote (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#1542

Valuable things shouldn’t be left unattended

Greg Mackenzie (Wellington , 2020-04-08)

#1543

Thousands of New Zealanders rely on golf for their entertainment and social connections...the economic and social risk created by not allowing maintenance surely outweighs the impact of one person working alone to keep the course in shape.

Andrew G (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1545

To not allow rudimentary maintenance is unreasonable as the risk to green keepers would be as close to nil as imaginable. There are fewer spaces bigger then a golf course to enable social distancing. Riding a mower hundreds of meters away from anyone else should be sufficient!

Clinton Johns (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1549

My course means a lot to me, member for 41 years and want it to thrive and continue to attract young people to out game

Campbell Masters (Wellington , 2020-04-08)

#1550

Golf brings together all age groups and ethnicities and is great for the economy

Gordon Beattie (Porirua, 2020-04-08)

#1556

This lock down is already stressing clubs financially. If maintenance is not allowed during the lock down period which may will be extended many clubs may find it difficult to come back

Rodney Orr (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#1558

Commonsense must prevail. If councils can upkeep grounds so can golf clubs. They are clever enough to maintain safe practices.

david Parmenter (Porirua, 2020-04-08)

#1559

I love golf - it is good for my mental and physical health. When they reopen I want our courses to be in a fair and reasonable condition so we are able to play again. Golf is the highest participation sport in NZ so what's the harm in allowing one person to do essential maintenance to ensure we have the ability to play in the future.

Bobbi Oliver (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#1562

Golf clubs need to be maintained during lockdown as this impacts hundreds of thousands of course maintenance costs.

Glenn Miller (Wellington , 2020-04-08)

#1564

I feel that because of the growth of the grass, this will relate into extra costs. As long as there are two workers working together for safety reasons.

Wiremu Neho (Whangarei , 2020-04-08)

#1565

Apart from the obviously huge financial impact the lock down will cause to many many turf based sports clubs I believe these same clubs will be of enormous health (mental, social and physical) benefit to hundreds of New Zealander’s as and when they are allowed to resume normal activity. But not if they have been ruined!

Rosie Marshall (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1566

It's just sensible that green maintenance should be able to occur. If it cannot it's just pointless asset destruction. Also, greenkeeping lends itself ideally to working in isolation I would have thought.

Josh Mooney (Kapiti , 2020-04-08)

#1568

Golf is big in NZ for kiwis and visitors. Some golf courses are already struggling financially and increased costs and lack of revenue could break some. Maintenance can typically be done by an single individual, with no other people within sight, and thus very safely.

Philip Blagdon (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#1569

Maintenance of golf course greens essential from a financial perspective, but even more so, to be able to quickly provide exercise and social well-being support to many NZ’ers, especially our older adults, once we come out of alert level 4.

Gael Surrey (New Plymouth , 2020-04-08)

#1574

Because I love playing golf and would love to see the golf courses survive once we come out of lockdown. Maintained courses will allow people to get out and play.

As long as the courses are maintained in a safe manor during the lockdown period

Vinod Hira (Wellington , 2020-04-08)

#1575

I believe there are no risks of contracting Covid19 while sitting on a mower and observing social distancing. The present restrictions are petty and driven by idealogy rather than commonsense.

Dave Sharp (Dunedin , 2020-04-08)

#1578

I am a member of Te Marua Golf Club

Gail Waight (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#1580

Greens need to be looked after during the lockdown period so once the courses re-open members and people of the public and enjoy playing on the course

Rowan Nicholson (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#1581

Golf courses can manage safe distancing easily and there is no reason to incur risk to course and unecessary cost.
There is double standards here as I saw a n Auckland council worker mow grass verges in my street yesterday

Jan Martin (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#1582

I'm signing because golf courses require this

Ben Johnson (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#1592

Golf is enjoyed as a key health and well bring activity especially for older people and it will be important when lock down lifted. It’s will be bad if courses were unplayable through lack of maintenance esp when solo green keepers could carry out essential Mtc without risk

Robin Keall (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#1597

We need our geeenkeepers cutting and maintaining our greens.

Brent Walton (Wellington , 2020-04-08)