Allow Essential Maintenance of Golf Courses During Lockdown Period

Comments

#404

Golf course maintenance is vital for the future of the sport. Many clubs will go broke if the courses are not up to standard. Greens mowing is essential.

Graham Keen (Waimate, 2020-04-08)

#406

My golf course needs help!

Ben Smythe (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#407

Come on, one green keeper on course on own, we need to save the golf course! My son is one off the people that could lose his job if there course closes!

Raewyn Towgood (Masterton, 2020-04-08)

#412

most green keepers worker alone or separately so can't see an issue with spreading covid19. Also there are many small towns that the golf ckub offers exercise and fellowship; it would be sad to see any closures due to lack of maintenance.

Denise Fisher (Geraldine, 2020-04-08)

#413

Golf courses will be ruined if they aren’t maintained! I play 4 to 5 times a year so not a major for me but some people play multiple times a week! Sort it out labour gov!!!

Jon Mcfarlane (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#416

My husband is a golf professional and we know how difficult it is for greenkeepers to keep on top of maintenance - gollf clubs are struggling at the moment without this happening. Distancing from others would be easy managed on courses.

Julianne Southerden (Napier, 2020-04-08)

#418

Kia ora,
It is imperative that ongoing maintenance of golf courses is kept to standard at least twice a week.
In some cases, golf courses may not be able to come back from 4 - 6 weeks of no maintenance either through added financial burden or that they don't have the personnel to cope with the catch up work required.
A single employee could over the period of a week, maintain a golf course to a holding standard so as to be prepared for an opening after this lockdown event.
Please consider this petition with thought for the hundreds of thousands of golfers in Aotearoa.
Nga mihi,
Crete Wana
Vice President,
NZ Maori Golf

Crete Wana (Ohope, 2020-04-08)

#419

The golf courses will have massive long term damage and I will not be able to escape my kids after this period finishes if I can't play golf....

Gareth Jopson (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#422

It will cost a lot of money to recover. As long as it can be done safely I’m all for it

Mike Bowman (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#427

Golf courses will loose millions if not maintained for 4 weeks. They are no different to council fields and parks which are maintained every day.

Tyler Rakich (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#428

Makes sense. Low risk. Get economy ready to go.

Brendon Johnston (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#430

Our golf club could not afford to pay the cost of recovering our greens if the green keeper cannot keep working

Dawn Dowling (Te Anau, 2020-04-08)

#434

You can maintain a golf course without putting anyone at risk

Ange Bygate (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#435

This is a must and the inconsistency is nuts! Let the greens be mowed please!

Denise Langdon (Takapuna, 2020-04-08)

#439

Without up-keep golf courses could go to ruin

Richard Smith (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#440

If they can safely isolate and clean equipment after use I would be ok with this.

Bernadine McCormack (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#441

I think it is essential for golf greens and bowling greens to be maintained during this period

Sam Lyford (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#442

I'm on the board of kaiapoi golf club and if we dont get some maintenance done we will shed members and money.....

Tim Attwood (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#446

I don't want the golf courses to go out of business.

Logan Richmond (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#449

This needs to be done ! Why cause unnecessary hardship and financial outlay for clubs which rely so heavily on funding / sponsorship / members fees when it could be avoided.

You have my full support.

Benjamin Railey (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#450

This is absolutely essential and can be done safely

Ryan Philpot (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#451

I know how much time and effort it takes to manage fine cut turf.and the longer it takes for turf managers to get access to these playing surfaces they will be severely overgrown and potentially disease ridden.these problems could take months to rectify and potentially could be so bad they will need to be resewen putting courses out of action for months especially going into winter

Ryan Blackbourn (New plymouth, 2020-04-08)

#453

I’m paying green fees for a course that will be unplayable after lockdown

Ben Darch (Chch, 2020-04-08)

#454

As you will be aware NZ Golf, it’s Clubs and those that love the game are pleading with MBIE to provide an exemption to allow the Greenkeepers to provide basic maintenance on the greens, without the basic care the greens will be damaged beyond affordable repatriation, and leave many courses no choice but to close. This can be avoided if MBIE allowed greenkeepers to work in a solo way, in what is already an isolated environment.

We as a community are reaching out to MBIE, in the hope they will hear our plead if not desperation, so that all of us that love the sport of Golf and businesses that support it, can continue enjoying our courses/clubs, and the pleasure it brings us!

On a personal level, Golf has found a special place in our home, our son Micaiah 9yrs went through leukaemia treatment for 4yrs, he has been in remission for 2yrs, he tried many sports post treatment but struggled to keep up or fit in, He was introduced to Golf by a grandparent and feel in love with it, and has developed an incredible ability for the game, the game has been the best thing for his anxiety and mental health, without it would be a guaranteed backward step for us as a family.

Glenn Pratley (Rolleston, 2020-04-08)

#456

I’m signing because the huge cost to golf courses if they are unable to maintain their courses will cripple and in a lot of cases bankrupt these courses. The risk for these courses to undertake essential maintenance is incredibly low, majority of green keepers live locally and as long as the courses limit the number of staff to one member of their staff this risk can easily be managed. The opportunity to maintain the greens within these courses will be the difference between survival and bankruptcy of these mostly not for profit organisations.

Will Morrison (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#457

I'm signing because the damage being caused will cost Millions to repair. The greenkeepers could absolutely work on there own so social distancing is adhered to.

Roy Hollick (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#459

It's fair.

Taylor Mosen (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#464

Stupid that at least 1 greenkeeper can’t be there to maintain a course. Wasted so much money

Duane Sidford (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#466

I am signing this because. This job can be done with only 3 or for people to maintain the course.

As a past green keeper a lot goes into maintaining the course, if you leave this for a month the golf course may endure diseases and fungal growth which can damage a course. Financially aswell.

Tashreeq Kadir (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#468

Top sports field, bowling greens, golf green need attention. Hastings District Council is still mowing sports field and cemeteries. How come that is essential.

isobel holdaway (Havelock North, 2020-04-08)

#473

It’s important to keep our Otaki Golf Course groomed ready for post-lockdown

Trudie Cooper (Otaki, 2020-04-08)

#475

it will destroy our course if we can mow the greens.

Shane lacey (rolleston, 2020-04-08)

#480

I’m signing because there’s a reason everyone else is. Have some common sense. It’s not difficult to know why the golf clubs should be maintained.

Sam An (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#483

We need our courses back

Jason Sorenson (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#485

It’s a fair request

Troy Turnbull (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#488

I think it is bloody ridiculous that a person can’t be allowed onto a piece of land comprising several hectares to care for greens.

Mike Brosnan (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#490

The morons in the public service are detached from reality

Steve McNally (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#497

I agree that golf course maintenance is essential over this shut-down time so that golf can resume ASAP and golf clubs don’t go broke!!

Penny Hutchins (Te Anau, 2020-04-08)

#501

The courses are deteriorating quickly and it could be done safely with a skeleton staff.

Bill O’Brien (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#507

Golf courses form an important part of my community

Jenni Boys (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#508

i work at the golf club and understand how tough it would be for us to open after the lockdown, with no maintenance on the greens.

Sofia Amer (dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#510

I love my course coringa.

Jahan Pitcorn (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#519

The greens need mowing or they will be ruined.

Judy Mackenzie (Oamaru, 2020-04-08)

#522

Courses are going to be financially impacted, without regular maintenance

Jas Gwatkin (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#524

I’m signing because I have a passion for golf, I appreciate a well groomed course, and I do not believe that a single suitably qualified greenkeeper will be a risk to spread or pick up the covid19 virus.

Mike Chan (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#525

I work at a golf course and not only am I losing income but the course will not come back from missing maintenance.

Sam Braddick (Timaru, 2020-04-08)

#529

Let green staff do mow and do maintenance during lockdown

Chris Fox (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#530

I am a member of a club and the financial implications not to maintain the course during lock down will cripple some clubs

Dan McGall (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#539

Golf courses are an extremely expensive asset of a Golf Club. They need constant maintenance to keep them in a playable state. A month without maintenance would mean they remain unplayable for months. Also to get them up to scratch again would cost an unaffordable amount of money for the golf clubs to come up with .

Rhonda Pike (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#541

Why can’t they cut the grass!?? Seems ridiculous given people can go to the supermarket

Ryan Nicholas (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#542

It's important for the future success of any golf club to maintain the golf course. This is often how golfers select which club to join. The quality of the well groomed greens and the cut(s) of the fairways.

Adrienne Mc (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#543

We will need golf courses in good condition when we are allowed back out on them. For many they are the main source of fitness and stress redlined and will cost thousands and then some if they are not maintained and most clubs will be forced to close if not able to operate

Dillon Hood (Waipu, 2020-04-08)

#544

Simple I love the game and would hate our club to go under because of the lockdown

Eugene Conradie (Oamru, 2020-04-08)

#545

Green keepers present no risk and the cost of resurrecting golf courses will put many into shut down.

Iain Robertson (Palmerston North, 2020-04-08)

#547

I sign this because I have great concerns that golf clubs and their maintenance areas are separate from each other and a course maintenance person can work independently of fellow workers to save high costs of later recovery. Some courses could fail to cope with the cost of recovery and voters will remember

Michael Phelan (Wellington, 2020-04-08)

#548

As a previous representative golfer and now watching my kids play golf courses are important let the maintenance go and the costs become exorbitant to get them back. We need leisure activity.

Ann Hood (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#554

The condition of our Wanaka golf course will deteriorate rapidly if mowing and maintenance of the fairways and greens continues to be neglected. It will be an overwhelming expense to return to its previous superb condition . Many many members of our community play golf to exercise and enjoy the company of others. It is a very important asset for the health and well being of our community

Susie Ross (Wanaka, 2020-04-08)

#555

Golf courses need maintenance to keep them in the condition they are. If we dont allow the green keepers to work, it will be devastating to the course, and will take valuable time to fix for players once isolation is over. Golf courses aren't paddocks.

Paul Olsthoorn (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-08)

#557

Maintenance needed

Richard Reed (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#558

Love the game

Josh Patick (Gold Coast, 2020-04-08)

#560

I don’t want to see Golf courses ruined.

Chris Anderson (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#561

Let them keep the greens alive at least... green keepers can work in isolation.

Regan Heal (Cromwell, 2020-04-08)

#565

I Play golf and also do volunteer work around our 9 hole golf course .

Stewart Bell (Dunedin, 2020-04-08)

#572

We need our greens mown!!!

Debbie Maindonald (Rotorua, 2020-04-08)

#575

I am a golf club member

Joanne Free (Napier, 2020-04-08)

#576

the maintenance of golf courses is essential and possible without close contact. It plays an essential part in community life.

Irene Henry (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#579

I'm worried for the survival of our golf course.

Sharon Cockayne (Mt Maunganui, 2020-04-08)

#586

We need to closely monitor our fine turf surfaces, I'm sure all turf managers would agree. This risk of disease comes to quickly and it may take months to come back from, it will only takes someone to observe each day and possibly tend to the situation if needed to prevent the spread. Not only this matter but it may cause alot of financial pressure on alot of sporting facilities around New Zealand to repair these areas.

Chase Mckeown (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#587

We need ALL Golf courses in NZ to have at least the greens to be maintained during Covid19.

Karen Wehipeihana (Palmerston North, 2020-04-08)

#590

We want our course playable as soon as possible. They’ve worked so hard to get it to where it is and now it’s all going to waste

Lola Fowler (Auckland, 2020-04-08)

#591

I believe maintence on only greens may save golf courses - let the solo green keeper look after his babies ie: the Greens

Julie Cleaver (Hawera, 2020-04-08)

#597

One person at work on 100 acres of land to prevent thousands of dollars worth of damage is not unreasonable.
At any given supermarket there will be dozens of people within 100m2 of space at the checkout. Sensible thinking?????

Mike Davidson (Christchurch, 2020-04-08)

#599

The impact in not maintaining greens will have a huge economic effect on the majority of, if not all, golf clubs in NZ. Also golf is a sport that could be played a lot sooner than other sports once lockdown restrictions have eased, giving people a change to get out and enjoy life again. The potential that clubs, if they do survive, may not be ready for play for a long time after, could be an unnecessary situation.
Council parks are still being maintained!!! I just dont understand how this us ok when some extra growth would have very little consequence compared to that of golf courses.

Brad Shilton (Auckland, 2020-04-08)