Birmingham, England: With all of the United Kingdom and Ireland under some form of lockdown, the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland (PGA of GB&I) has increased the support available for PGA Members, golf clubs and their management teams during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A dedicated helpline – launched in March at the beginning of the first lockdown – continues to provide PGA Members and their facilities with a dedicated point of contact throughout the on-going crisis.

“Over the last nine months the helplines have been inundated, with our team of experts sharing practical advice on accessing Government financial support packages for the self-employed and businesses and how the measures apply to golf businesses and individuals,” said a spokesperson for The PGA, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

A dedicated team of PGA staff is also proactively contacting PGA Members and their facilities to direct them to further support and advice.

The PGA’s Covid-19 Resource Hub has become a vitally important reference resource for both PGA Members and the wider golf industry. Available to view on The PGA’s public pages at www.pga.info, the Resource Hub is constantly updated with the latest information and guidance on all aspects of the restrictions, conveniently broken down by country.

The Hub includes guidance on everything from coaching and retail restrictions to financial support and mental well-being.

Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of the PGA, said: “These are unprecedented times. Covid-19 is having a massive impact on life in the UK, Ireland and around the world, and like so many other industries, golf is being hit hard by the ramifications. We remain concerned about the impact on our Members, their professional colleagues and their golf facilities.

“We are monitoring the situation carefully and have communicated quickly and fully through our channels as and when information becomes available. The helpline and Resource Hub allows us to respond to our Members’ individual concerns and questions and we will be here as a point of contact for them and their facilities should they need us.”

The PGA – as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, along with other leading industry bodies – said it was ‘extremely disappointed’ by the decision not to exempt golf from the latest restrictions.

Maxfield said: “As an industry, we have made a very strong case to keep golf open during the national lockdowns and in the regional tiers system, and we will continue to campaign for golf to reopen at the earliest opportunity.

“We will do whatever it takes to support our Members and their facilities through these difficult times. We all have a long-term interest in the golf industry not only surviving these difficult times, but emerging stronger and more united in the months ahead.”