The English definitely do nothing like the others. While the whole world confines itself to the threat of the Coronavirus, the "UK Golf Federation" has just launched the #KeepGolfOpen (#GardezLeGolfOuvert), on the site change.org. A petition whose objective is to collect 100,000 signatures to put pressure on the British government. "Although we all fully understand the very serious problems that the coronavirus presents to the world, the British Golf Federation wants governments to support keeping golf courses open for the duration of COVID19," said Doug Poole, his initiator, who already had 13,340 signatories in less than a week, on Saturday March 21.
Advocacy
Assuming that golf is "an outdoor activity" which "requires no person-to-person contact", Doug Poole asserts in his plea to safeguard the golf industry that "most golf courses have (…) disinfection stations and open door policies ”. Words that did not fail to shock Christophe Muniesa, director general of the Federation, who spoke to all the licensees of the FF Golf on the media and social network of the federal authority: “From Wednesday March 18, #Restezchezvous becomes #Golfezchezvous with ffgolf (…) Due to the exceptional health situation, ffgolf asked for the cessation of the activities of golf courses and training centers, decided to interrupt federal competitions until May 31 and requested the cancellation of all golf related gatherings and entertainment. These measures are of the first importance and must be strictly respected out of a sense of responsibility and concern for cohesion and solidarity, as the values of our Federation invite us to do so. Together, we must fight the Covid-19 for the common good. "
From Wednesday, #Restezchezvousdevient #Golfezchezousous with #ffgolf! ⛳️
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Despite this unambiguous appeal, it must be admitted that the British attitude reflects the feelings of some of the golfers confined within the framework of the health plan put in place to fight against the Coronavirus. In the British Isles but also in France, where some question the merits of the closure measures announced by the Prime Minister and then supported by the French Federation.
"We saw that when people gathered in public parks, it was dramatic for the image of Parisians in general. It would be even worse for golfers if we had pictures of people playing golf - most of whom are paid 85 percent by the government - now. ”
Pascal Grizot
When questioned by the Golf Planète site, the vice-president of the FFGolf, Pascal Grizot, replied in a clear manner: "From the moment the Prime Minister asked for travel restrictions, we only asked ourselves the question of the accessibility of the routes. We decided to close the courses because it was obviously not reasonable for people to be gathered there. First for the health security aspect and then, also, for a question of image of our sport. We saw that when people gathered in public parks, it was dramatic for the image of Parisians in general. It would be even worse for golfers if we had pictures of people playing golf - most of whom are paid 85 percent by the government - now. This is not the message to send. The priority is obviously the health of everyone. Let's avoid regrouping and stay at home, this is what the government asked and the federation must be beyond reproach. "
Closed courses
If the idea came to some to take their bag and go golfing wildly on closed… or open courses, Pascal Grizot, future candidate for the succession of Jean-Lou Charron to the presidency of the FF Golf, warns: “If you learn that a golf course is open or that someone is on a course, you must call the prefecture to notify them. It's so easy to get over barriers… ”
No free pass should be tolerated by the community of French golfers, invited to take their troubles patiently during confinement and to respect the instruction "responsible, citizen and united, in accordance with the decisions of the public authorities", according to the words of Christophe Muniesa.
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"One of the reasons why the French play golf and appreciate our sport so much," concludes Pascal Grizot, by answering questions from our colleague François Scimeca, "is the social bond that is created through his practice." It was important by being deprived of our favorite sport for several weeks to continue to create this social bond. This is why the federation very quickly set up video programs (…) we will be able to continue to offer physical training but also technical training (…) today we have programs already carried out for three weeks and We will continue to produce programs that we will share with our friends at Golf + so that these programs are broadcast as much as possible for the benefit of French golfers. "