GolfRSA launches Covid-19 relief fund to help caddies and casual workers

GolfRSA launched a R1-million relief initiative on Freedom Day aimed at helping caddies and casual workers at golf facilities who have been adversely affected by the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

GolfRSA, the umbrella body for amateur golf in South Africa, intends to reach those individuals who have not yet benefited from any financial support by introducing the GolfRSA Covid-19 Relief Fund.

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“It’s no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the golf industry and with more than 400 golf clubs in this country, employees at most of these clubs have been severely impacted by the lockdown,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn.

“Those worst affected are the caddies and casual workers.

“Sadly, most of these individuals were living close to the breadline even before lockdown and are now battling to provide for their families.

“We acknowledge and applaud the numerous golf clubs, their members and general managers and PGA professionals, as well as organisations within the golf industry that have already implemented much-needed schemes and initiatives aimed at assisting employees and casual workers,” said Hepburn.

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He said in total more than R5-million has been raised to date by golf facilities to support casual workers and caddies.
“However, with so many golf clubs struggling for survival, we decided to initiate this compensation fund that will assist those individuals who did not receive any help from their respective clubs.
“We have been able to retain a savings pool from operational cuts due to national events being cancelled and the voluntary pay reduction that the GolfRSA staff and service providers have taken.

“We will redirect these funds toward the GolfRSA Covid-19 Relief Fund with the full endorsement of the office bearers of the South African Golf Association, Womens Golf South Africa and the GolfRSA board of directors.”

Hepburn said the fund will be administered in several phases, with the first phase expected to roll out in the next few days.

“The staff at GolfRSA are liaising with provincial golf unions and golf clubs to identify those workers who qualify for relief payments and they will also execute the challenging logistics of this roll-out, starting this week,” he said.

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The second phase of the programme will call for donations from golfers and businesses that are able to contribute to the fund to sustain the initiative over the next few months.

“It is difficult to determine the extent of this campaign, due to uncertainty of the number of individuals and families that will need support.

“We therefore hope to extend the lifespan of the fund with support from golfers and corporate South Africa.”

GolfRSA chairperson of the board Johann Rupert commended the golf industry for the various initiatives launched during this challenging period for all South Africans.

“The golf industry has come together in remarkable ways to sustain and preserve our golf courses and ensure the welfare of the golfers and the industry employees, including club and greens staff, caddies and casual workers,” Rupert said.

Hepburn said that details of the application process for caddies and casual workers will be communicated to the golf unions and clubs in the next few days.

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