Business as usual at the Home of Golf – for now

All seven courses at the Home of Golf are “currently operating as normal”, St Andrews Links Trust said in a statement yesterday. The organisation, which runs the septet of layouts in the historic town which includes the famous Old Course, said it would continue to follow the advice of the government and “act accordingly” should this change.

“The health and wellbeing of our staff, ticket holders and visitors at the Links is very important to everyone at St Andrews Links Trust,” a statement on their website read.

“Since the outbreak of Covid-19 we have been closely monitoring the advice and guidance provided by government, which means at this time (Monday 16th March) all seven courses and facilities are currently operating as normal.”

After advising those with queries for pre-booked tee-times in the weeks ahead to contact their travel providers, or the Trust directly if booked through them, the statement added the Trust wanted to share the additional measures being taken to help combat the spread of the virus “and the important role our customers can play in these efforts”.

“In each of our facilities we have made the following provisions:

• Hand sanitiser is available in all public areas.
• Colleagues at the Links have also been provided with their own supplies of the above and asked to be extra vigilant at all times.
• We have increased the frequency of cleaning with staff focussing their attention on key areas such as door handles and handrails, etc.
• ​We have reduced the number of tables in our Lounges to assist with social distancing efforts.

“To try to minimise touch points we have re-positioned the Yearly Ticket scanners so that golfers can swipe their cards themselves at any of the Starters Boxes prior to play.

“All of our employees are aware of the current requirements and are undertaking the highest levels of health and safety procedure to ensure that excellent hygiene standards are maintained.”

• Related: How clubs can help the fight against Covid-19
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• Related: How the outbreak has affected the professional tours
• Related: Golf’s governing bodies issue statements
• Related: 10 tips to keep greenkeepers healthy during the crisis

Staff returning from any affected country, or those who have been in close proximity with someone recently returning from those areas, have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days, something the Trust said had been in place for “some time now”.

They also encouraged customers to assist their efforts by following government guidelines, including thorough hand washing and trying to avoiding close contact with others.

“We will continue to follow government advice and act accordingly should this advice change,” the statement concluded.

Are you due to visit St Andrews in the near future? Have you reconsidered your travel plans in the light of the latest government advice? Let me know in the comments, or tweet me.