Allow Essential Maintenance of Golf Courses During Lockdown Period

Comments

#3402

I'm signing because the risks are in my view far outweighed by the value in maintaining at least the greens so that accumulated investment over more than a century of golfing in NZ is not wasted. Greens are the essence of any golf course and need constant care and attention. Specifically please allow access so that a ground keeper can at least mow and maintain the greens on their golf courses by following the 2m separation protocols used in our essential businesses. Thank you for your support with this request..

Chris Day (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3405

Courses need essential maintenance.

mark song (christchurch, 2020-04-09)

#3407

If local councils are allowed to have teams out mowing why can’t golf clubs have a green keepers working to ensure viability of the course when it reopens?

Tania Fitzhenry (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3408

I support the petition seeking golf course turf maintenance be classified as an essential service to avoid significant restoration costs after the shutdown period and to avoid destroying the investments already made in golf courses.

Graeme Dick (Upper Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3409

I usually assist where I can with the maintenance of the Kāpiti Golf Club. It is a small 9 hole course that caters fo it’s own members and a large number of the general public. It is only through a large voluntary I put that it survives. It employs a solitary green keeper and he alone would be unable to maintain the course. It is imperative that he is able to access the course, especially at the present time when the greens have just been cored and require daily attention.

Bill Russell (Paraparaumu, 2020-04-09)

#3410

I'm signing because there is a very low risk to the community and the last thing we need right now is valuable community facilities such as golf clubs going under.

Tony Blain (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3411

I really enjoy golf and know the hard work that goes into the upkeep of a golf courses takes a lot of time and money.

Karen Roughan (Lawrence, 2020-04-09)

#3415

A good turf surface takes years and a lot of money to establish. The govt is gambling with the very existence of many clubs who do not have the resources to come back from this. It is so unnecessary.

Mark Harris (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3419

I totally agree that AT LEAST the GREENS should be allowed to be CUT and CHEMICALLY TREATED as needed!
I’m making an assumption that ONE green keeper could cut eighteen greens in possibly ten or so hours and I fail to see how there is any risk to that person or the public in doing so!

Barry McCollam (AUCKLAND, 2020-04-09)

#3420

I am signing because I see no merit in preventing work on golf course greens. One member of the greenkeeping staff could maintain the greens without being in contact with anyone else.

Michael Alexander (Paraparaumu, 2020-04-09)

#3421

It is a logical argument, and within the objectives of the current situation

Callum Gordon (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3422

I believe the maintanance of golf is essential.please reconsider the decision

Younghwa Lee (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3423

greens need at least basic maintenance which only needs one greenkeeper who lives on the course here .

Roy Greenhalgh (Te Awamutu, 2020-04-09)

#3426

Our outdoor spaces are vital to health and well being. Let's protect them.

Anne Clarke (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3431

The person mowing the greens can do this in their own bubble and work on their own.

Andries Van Der Westhuizen (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3432

the level 4 lockdown is too rigorous for the maintenance options whereby one person could carry out the work ,with a daily rotation of staff to suit. Equipment can easily be sanitised. this applies to the majority of sports fields and outdoor maitenance.

donald davidson (auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3436

I believe a groundsman could work safely under covid-19 restrictions and do the work required to maintain golf course greens, and thereby saving years of work, and a quick resumption of the sport once this is over. I notice the public sports fields are being mown by local council during this period.

Helen Harman (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3437

I belong to The Hills and Millbrook and maintenance needs to be continued especially on the greens or the recovery would not be affordable

Sandy Turner (Queenstown, 2020-04-09)

#3438

Because it is essential that they maintain them in good order. Common sense should prevail.

Debbie Hill (Upper Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3441

i'm keen to keep 1 person doing maintenance on the course otherwise it could costs thousands to remediate which could be the deathnell of our course cmon jacinda you've done a great job so far help us out cheers dave

dave pepere (wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3443

I see no reason why one person per course is going to put any additional lives at risk from Covid 19, and golf will be an essential release for many people once the courses are allowed to be open. The cost of not having the courses open and playable will be significant.

Geoff Lill (Leeston, 2020-04-09)

#3444

Basic course maintenance is essential for a successful club. Strong clubs build a strong community.

Brad Eggins (Christchurch, 2020-04-09)

#3445

It's important

Tony Lovelidge (Whitianga, 2020-04-09)

#3448

I am a longstanding and regular player.

Bryen Burnett (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3449

I'm a member of Boulcotts Farm Heritage Golf Club and would like to see the course maintained.

Mike Bovey (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3450

If golf course maintenance isn't carried out some golf courses will not be able to afford the high recovery costs.

Nigel Grant (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3452

I,ve walked Waitamata Golf Course and it is in dire need of maintenance. The public are walking on the greens and children and dogs also.

Jill Bradley (North Shore, 2020-04-09)

#3456

Let the ground staff work in isolation. No different than going for a bike ride

Neil Howard (Tauranga, 2020-04-09)

#3457

It’s essential that courses are maintained⛳️

Alan Watts (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3458

I'm signing this because I believe a groundsman could work in isolation to perform tasks which are essential for the upkeep of the golf course. I do not believe one person mowing lawns and spraying will spread Covid19.
At lot of golf courses are struggling to be viable as it is. In the case of kaikoura if is a great community assest for all ages. From youth to those in their 80's or more.

Frances Nixon (Kaikoura, 2020-04-09)

#3459

Having 1 greenkeeper on a mower is no risk and that can save the country and golf courses millions of dollars. A sensible way forward at no risk to other people

Andries Cloete (Tauranga, 2020-04-09)

#3467

It would be shameful to allow 15 years of club members and green staff efforts to go to waste not to mention the considerable club funds expended which would be brought to naught.

Charles Speight (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3474

To allow the deterioration of our golf coarse makes NO sense given the huge cost of restoration and the fact that one person is sufficient to maintain at an adequate level.

Stephen Palairet (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3479

It needs to be done. We will not survive as a club and it presents very low risk to the 2 green keepers

Damion Kauika (Carterton, 2020-04-09)

#3480

I feel like the risk of transmission is low if only 1 person does the maintenance at a time. And the cost to the club to do this post lock down may mean some of our beat clubs close

Matt Sole (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3482

We are a small club and not being able to maintain our couse would limit players and memebers

Anthony Gibbons (Carterton, 2020-04-09)

#3486

If its good enough for the council to be mowing all their parks while in lockdown it should be good enough for all golf courses. Gold club Green Keepers are qualified professionals and the courses are of very high and expensive standards requiring special care.

trevor bigwood (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3487

I know how much pleasure, exercise, camaraderie and fresh air many people get from playing this game. I would hate to see these benefits taken away.

Irene Steiner (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3488

I’m signing because it makes sense and there is no danger to anyone if one green keeper is allowed to maintain the greens in both Golf & Bowling Clubs.

Malcolm Sime (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3493

One month or longer of no maintainence to golf greens will make unplayable and therefore members will resign making the majority of clubs financially insolvent or at least unable to meet current overheads ,Govt get your head out of the sand.

Paul Bartley (AUCKLAND, 2020-04-09)

#3497

Allow green keepers maintain the course

Paul Bartup (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3498

It will cost a fortune to re-establish these vacilities. We need them up and running as soon as we are able to get back to our normal life. Sport is so good for mental healtg

Petrina Denton (Whanganui, 2020-04-09)

#3502

Golf is one of the healthiest low impact sports for everyone but especially the older generation— and there’s no risk at all to the greenskeepers. Why on earth would you not allow this?

Colleen Bergin (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3517

I'm signing this because whilst the lockdown is vitally important for the health of the nation, an ability to maintain parts of a golf course can be conducted in a safe manor. All golf clubs are currently closed therefore excluding everyone. If a single green keeper was permitted to maintain the greens they would be the only person there and would not pose a risk to anyone. Come on government... this is a simple decision.

Paul Johnson (Palmerston North, 2020-04-09)

#3522

My club, Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club,plays a significant role in the local community. It has over 1000 members. During the lockdown basic maintenance is required to ensure that once we are able to return the Club does not face weeks or even months of returning the course to the state it was in earlier in the year. The proposals put forward by NZ Golf for basic maintenance are practical, easily understood and, policed and will give ours and all other clubs in the country an opportunity to get up and running promptly with the least possible damage to finances once the restrictions are lifted.

Rod Gillespie (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3523

I can’t see the risk where just one green keeper mows the greens and thereby preserves golf clubs’ primary assets.

David Johnstone (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3525

I'm a golf club member and am seriously concerned that the cost to rectify damaged greens will be beyond many clubs. The fix seems so simple when there is such a contained amount of work in a very safe environment.

Robin Kelly (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3528

I am in support of turf management be allowed while in lockdown

Angela Mowbray (Methven, 2020-04-09)

#3529

Common sense

Grant Russell (Marahau, 2020-04-09)

#3530

It is important that the golf course are looked after properly to prevent high costs of repair later.

They are also wide open spaces so workers will be able to keep safe distance separation.

Phil Coyle (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3533

This is an extremely important issue for all clubs and I am sure that it will be carried out responsibly.

Laurie horne (lower hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3535

I am signing this petition as I feel 1 person out there by self should not be a health risk as long as they have not been in contact.

Janette Tickner (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3540

I’m signing because if the golf courses are not maintained they will become unusable, and there is very limited risk in allowing 1 or 2 grounds people to conduct maintenance.

Suzi Lyons (Muriwai, 2020-04-09)

#3543

Basic maintenance of golf course will not disrupt lockdown or endanger anyone but will mitigate massive future expenditure by golf clubs

Terry Dooher (Andersons Bay, 2020-04-09)

#3544

Mowing can be done safely and will save unnecessary expenditure later on.

It makes COMMON SENSE.

Derek Stubbs (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3549

I'm a golfer, and passionate about our course. Course maintenance is a safe and important service to keep going

susan townsend (Christchurch, 2020-04-09)

#3550

The country will lose hundreds of golfers if the corses are allowed to go to the pack.

Chris Jones (Nelson, 2020-04-09)

#3551

There is minimal risk in allowing 1 person to maintain the greens and fairways

Dean Viljoen (Dunedin, 2020-04-09)

#3552

I love the game and I dont want to go back to a course full of weeds or burnt off, or, or, or.

Rodney Buck (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3553

I am signing this as the cost to our club of not mowing the greens will cause very serious financial problems for our club which has in very recent times spent millions of dollars redesigning the course

kath foot (wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3556

I'm signing because if constant care is not taken for greens, the damage this will cause will be beyond some of the golf clubs in NZ to find the funds to bring them back to where they were. Two greensmen working on different parts of the course will not spread covic 19

Heather Mcskimming (Tauranga, 2020-04-09)

#3558

Courses need to be maintained and greenkeepers can easily apply social distancing whilst doing so.

Ian Barr (Sydney, 2020-04-09)

#3560

I'm signing because golf clubs are a huge community investment which will help NZers recover after the lockdown.

Joanne Rowley (Napier, 2020-04-09)

#3561

All golf course s need to be maintained or it going to cost millions to repair the damage

Robert McIntyre (Upper hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3564

Lack of basic maintenance on golf courses over the course of the lockdown can result in longterm damage to what are the most critical parts of the golf course. Regular maintenance is vital in terms of controlling disease and undesirable weed growth and is enormously expensive to repair.
Greenkeeping is a relatively solitary occupation and risk of covid19 therefore would not even carry as much risk as working in jobs such at food handling and retailing. I urge the government to deem this an essential occupation and give the go-ahead to maintaining not only our golf courses but also bowling greens. Both of these are essential for social and exercise reasons.

Libby Boyd (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3565

Failure to be able to carry out essential maintenance works will be most detrimental to viability of sporting organisations to survive and cause extreme financial losses and many closures in community funded organisations

Lindsay Sutton (Clive, 2020-04-09)

#3566

Because I want the golf course to be kept in good condition so when we are allowed to pay again the course will be ready. Not months of repairs at a huge cost to the clubs that is not necessary if they are maintained.

Leigh Grylls (Te Awamutu, 2020-04-09)

#3568

Golf course maintenance.

Geoffrey Sweeny (Whangarei, 2020-04-09)

#3576

If they weren’t maintained even minimally it would take much time to get the greens up to minimal standard.

Phyllis RANGIHIKA (Kawerau, 2020-04-09)

#3578

I'm signing because it is critical to maintain our course to avoid high costs of repair after lockdown.

Keith Jellard (Manukau, 2020-04-09)

#3579

One person alone on a golfcourse can hardly be of any harm to this crisis.

Paul Berglund (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3580

We are signing this petition as regular walkers on Chisholm Links Golf course (allowed with care and consideration to staff and golfers). We know how much pride and hard work is put into maintaining the grounds by both the paid staff and volunteers. We understand that if they are not allowed to attend to the grounds they may be lost forever. Even a player or players can participate in their choice of sport with social distancing better than most cyclists can when they ride in groups or shared walkways so why are they being favoured.

Mark and Fiona Dyer (Dunedin, 2020-04-09)

#3581

It would be a very simple and safe task Taft will save considerable cost downstream.

Simon Thomas (Cambridge, 2020-04-09)

#3582

Golf is my recreation, my game, my sociable, excercise sun and fresh air
Without Golf i will be unsociable , meaning isolating at home
I speak for hundreds of fellow Golfers, lm sure
Please allow maintianance on the Golf courses, thankyou

Trev Atkinson (Whangarei, 2020-04-09)

#3584

Golf brings joy and a healthy pursuit to thousands of New Zealanders, employs thousands and pumps millions into the NZ economy.

What is being proposed is that golf clubs employ a skeleton crew, that would easily be able to employ social distancing, given the size of land that they would be working on and focus purely on tasks that would allow the golf course to return to being functional in the minimum amount of time. This would bring some joy to thousands of Kiwis who are doing it tough right now.

Failure to allow this will mean months of delay to repair the damage done to sensitive greens that have had years and substantial amounts of money poured into it. The impact on the golf courses could be catastrophic, leading to the loss of thousands of jobs and impacting significantly on the health and happiness of thousands of Kiwis.

Stephen Cotton (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3585

I don’t play golf but common sense need these ready to go when lockdown over

Lorraine Sarich (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#3594

Golf & Bowling clubs will not be able to withstand the damage being caused by neglect!!!

Robyn Sharp (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#3597

It's the right thing to do.

Brian Bonar (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#3598

Concern for condition of greens if not attended & cost involved to recover.

Cathy Lloydd (Whangarei, 2020-04-09)