The group of Spanish golf institutions –comprising the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG), the Regional Golf Federations, the Spanish Association of Golf Courses (AECG), the Spanish Association of Greenkeepers (AEdG), the Spanish Association of Golf Managers (AEGG) and the Spanish Professional Golfers' Association (PGA)– presents the Golf Sport Opening Protocol, a series of guidelines and recommendations for the safe practice of recreational golf, when the Health Authorities allow it depending on the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The measures described in the Golf Sport Opening Protocol, which involves both players and facilities, are the result of contributions from all the aforementioned institutions, and also include recommendations from international golf organizations.
The document outlines a series of guidelines intended to serve as a guide for both golfers and golf courses, so that they can be applied when, within the de-escalation process announced by the Government of Spain, the recreational practice of the sport of golf is permitted.
The Golf Sport Opening Protocol, divided into three parts – players, golf courses and industry – focuses on ensuring social distancing and minimizing the risks of spreading the coronavirus.
Additionally, this Protocol reinforces the idea that opening golf courses in our country could enhance Spain's image abroad, leveraging golf's reputation as a healthy, outdoor, and Covid-free sport, which will contribute to a faster recovery of tourism.
The procedures to follow before, during and after playing golf are part of the first section of the document, intended for players.
The second section, focused on golf courses, summarizes the recommended measures for the reopening of a standard facility, with each golf course adapting them to its own characteristics, always in accordance with the general limitations imposed by the Health Administration.
Finally, the third section describes, with figures, the entire Spanish golf industry, considered the leading European and global destination for international golf tourism, a claim supported by the 1.4 million tourists who choose Spain to play this sport each year, contributing to generating revenues of 2.5 billion euros and more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The document concludes with a series of demands to minimize the business losses caused by the Covid-19 crisis. These include the recognition of golf courses as tourist infrastructure, the application of a reduced VAT rate, and the extension of the temporary layoff scheme (ERTE) due to force majeure and the extraordinary and exceptional measures established in Royal Decree-Law 8/2020, given the restrictions on tourist traffic, as well as various economic support measures.
Changes to the use of buggies (June 8, 2020)
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