If you were to ask a Victorian which state has been the most resilient since the beginning of the pandemic, it’s possible all of them would reply with a resounding: “Us!” It’s no secret Victoria is in Lockdown 6.0 and golf has been one of the hardest hit sport and recreational activities across the country. Whilst other golfers around Australia were able to hit the fairways as case numbers rose, Victorian golfers packed their clubs away and waited… and waited… and waited.

As the garden state began to reach its vaccination targets, golf reopened with tee sheets filling quickly. Phones were constantly ringing with golfers begging to find an opening… happy to tee up with other golfers who couldn’t find a playing partner. Golf, in Victoria, is peaking at rates never seen before and the return to golf for many has been a reprieve from backyard makeshift chipping nets and indoor putting mats.

Spring Park Golf Course, a short distance from Melbourne’s sand belt region, re-opened its fairways as soon as restrictions were lifted and the team eagerly awaited the return of golfers. Venue Manager Stuart Cooper, shares the team’s experience through Lockdown 6 and how they welcomed golfers back to the venue:

“Spring at Spring Park has been a busy one. Absence of golfers during the lockdown period was capitalised by completing some essential risk management tree works. This meant the golf course was able to open with the peace of mind that these works had been achieved without impacting on normal daily operations. Plenty of rain and sunshine during the start of the growing season has allowed the fairways and playing surfaces to thrive and the team were able to present optimal conditions for reopening to the public and members of the golf course.

The rebound of the return to golf has been incredible. The course has been booked solid, with the public embracing the groups of two players for nine holes process. After being locked out of golf for so long, most golfers are happy just to be allowed to get a game in. Despite losing 50 percent of our tee-time capacity limit we have still been processing upwards of 200 rounds per day. The golf course has coped well with the increased demand and feedback from the playing public saying the course is in the best condition they can remember seeing it in.

The Spring season is the time for the coring of the greens. This is an essential maintenance task which keeps the playing surfaces in prime condition. These works were completed early October and the recovery process has been very quick with a process the best we have ever seen. Once the greens have been cut they will have pretty much returned to normal playing conditions.

Spring Park Golf Course is eagerly awaiting the easing of further restrictions in Melbourne which will enable the golf course to open up further and the team will be able to share the golf course in it’s great condition to more people playing in groups of four players”.