UPDATE: Clubs are now able to reopen.
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All clubs were closed as of midnight on Monday night on the recommendation of Golf NSW following advice from the NSW State Government and the NSW Office of Sport.
But after reconsideration, the NSW Office of Sport has advised that golf is considered an activity that can continue to be played in line with Public Health Orders relating to public gathering limits, social distancing, and the elderly. Clubs are now able to reopen.
The Dubbo Golf Course will shut down as part of a new range of restrictions being put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Last week, the club announced they would be proceeding with social games and small competitions in compliance with guidance from Golf NSW and the state government, but a new round of restrictions have led to an increased range of closures that have forced the course to close down play.
Dubbo Golf Club General Manager Rod Archer called the announcement a 'grey and fairly sad day' for the club.
"Due to the new regulations, the golf club has been forced to close, that's the golf club, the bar, the restaraunt and the course," Archer said.
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While the restaraunt and club itself had already been closed by the previous raft of preventative measures enforced by the government, the club had expected to continue hosting social games, with an increased and altered rule-set and several changes to the course to accomodate safer play.
Unfortunately, that will no longer be possible and the Dubbo Golf Club will now have to maintain the costs of upkeep and treatment of the grounds while play is cancelled.
"Even though we're closed, we still have Mick Wherritt and Jason out working, we can't just leave the course and stop; we have to treat," Archer said.
"We've got a few things happening throughout the greens, we've got to keep treating that, just remember throughout this process, the cost of running the golf course hasn't stopped, we still have a number of expenses."
"Hopefully this is over sooner rather than later."
Archer said that one of his primary concerns during the period of uncertainty was ensuring that staff would be able to continue feeding their families and keep a roof over their head.
"For me, what we're up to at the moment is closing the business down and working with government to figure out how and when we can re-open," Archer said.
"No one can answer those questions at the moment, but we're watching the graphs as much as anyone else is, so we're hoping it's six weeks and not six months."
Archer said that the club was taking inspiration after seeing the community rally strongly in the face of the bushfire and drought crisises.
"To be the heroes of the day, we need to stay home, look after your community, check in on your family and friends, but stay home," Archer said.
"It's a bit like golf, we want that infection number to stay as low as possible. The club and your community need you to do the right thing."
"Let's do that and come back to golf at the end of this."
Clubs in Wellington, Bathurst, Mudgee and elsewhere have also been shut.