The little world of golf had its eyes riveted on the lips of Edouard Philippe, yesterday. Headphones fully in the ears, during the speech on the deconfinement plan concocted by the government. And when at around 3:35 pm, the Prime Minister mentioned "individual outdoor sports" among the next activities authorized from May 11, many were those - federal leaders, directors of networks and clubs, practitioners ... etc - who felt a broad smile on his face. "Edouard Philippe picked up very precisely the words that had been whispered to him ," notes an actor familiar with the matter.No surprise. Everyone was reassured. This opens up perspectives, as we have discussed with several ministers to prepare for the deconfinement. There is still work to do with the Minister of Sport, but we can move forward. ”
... so as not to risk the transmission of the virus. Cycling, jogging, outdoor sports will be possible with a minimum safety distance. The list of authorized activities and the conditions of practice will be explained by @Sports_gouv.
- Roxana Maracineanu (@RoxaMaracineanu) April 28, 2020An invigorating announcement for the golf industry, which now sees the end of the tunnel, as well as the outdoor worlds of cycling, horse riding or sailing, from May 11. Roxana Maracineanu reacted, last night, on Twitter, to confirm a next resumption of leisure activities: " The health of athletes and practitioners is my priority (...) I proposed a resumption in stages with, in a 1st time, only individual outdoor practice. There will no longer be any limitation of distance or duration, but it will be necessary to strictly observe the criteria of distance between people so as not to risk the transmission of the virus. Cycling, jogging, outdoor sports will be possible (…) The list of authorized activities and the conditions of practice will be explained by @Sports_gouv ”.
"There are a few days to wait before you can practice golf again ..."
FF Golf press release
A clear position, therefore, which suggests a resumption of play on some golf courses in less than a fortnight. The press release from the French Golf Federation, in line with the work done by its representatives in recent weeks, testified to this optimist yesterday. Without forfanterie: "The ffgolf welcomes the government initiative which, among the first measures which will accompany deconfinement, will once again allow the practice of certain sporting activities (...) There are a few days to wait before being able to practice golf again " "We are in a crisis situation, commented Pascal Grizot, vice-president of the FFG, late last night, in a video conference on Planète Golf. One certainty: golf courses will reopen on May 11 ”.
Protocols
As of this Wednesday morning, at 11 am, federal officials were on a conference call with the ministerial services to develop the health protocols to be implemented in the clubs. As such, the collection work carried out by the director general of the FFG Christophe Muniesa with his European counterparts to compile good practices, now takes on its full meaning. In collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, there is still work to be done to convince the interlocutors of the State in good faith. For example, so that they understand that between a game of two players and a game of four players on a golf course, there are not many differences ... Provided that golfers, like other practitioners of outdoor sport , be disciplined and avoid crowds around the clubhouses after the games! In this case, there would be a real risk of the routes closing again.
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The geographic unknown must also be lifted. After the announcement of red and green departments, which will define the limitation of movement, in which regions of the golf courses will they be able to reopen? After discussions with the Ministry of sports scheduled for this week, Christophe Muniesa will be able to speak to explain to the world of golf where and how precisely the resumption of play will take place from 11 May.