The Association of Golf Courses on the Costa Blanca is in discussion with the Minister of Health, Ana Barceló, in an effort to reopen golf courses in the Valencian province, which have now been closed since 21 January.
Association president, Salvador Lucas, at the head, has told Barceló that golf is a safe activity, as it takes place outdoors and with a limited number of players. He has therefore asked that courses be allowed to reopen.
Economically, this enforced closure is an absolute disaster, since a golf course is a “living component, with its grass, its fauna and flora, which must all continue to be maintained, whether the activity is open or closed.
Currently at stake are 9,400 jobs and an annual worth to the Valencian economy of 745 million euros.
A meeting with the minister was recently attended by representatives of the Valencian Community Golf Federation, including Guillermo Jimenez, Vice President FGCV, Raul Gomez, Secretary General and Angel Llopes, Secretary General of the Association of Golf Courses.
During the meeting, the golf representatives explained that the sport is totally safe as it is played in natural spaces and outdoors, without any physical contact, in very small groups and with safety distances between players.
Golf is also played by all age groups, and it has been declared heart-healthy and very beneficial, both physically and psychologically, especially for the most vulnerable groups who find golf one of the few physical activities that they can practice with the peace of mind of not being exposed to covid.
