GolfRSA launches Covid-19 Relief Fund
Details of the application process for caddies and casual workers will be communicated to golf unions and clubs.
GolfRSA launched a R1-million relief initiative aimed at helping caddies and casual workers at golf facilities who have been adversely affected by the countrywide lockdown.
GolfRSA, the umbrella body for amateur golf in South Africa, intends to reach those individuals who have not yet benefited from any financial support.
“With more than 400 golf clubs in the country, employees at most of these clubs have been severely impacted,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn.
“Those worst affected are the caddies and casual workers.
“We applaud the numerous golf clubs, their members and managers, PGA professionals and organisations within the golf industry that have already implemented much-needed schemes aimed at assisting employees and casual workers.
“More than R5-million has been raised to date by golf facilities to support their 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 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 SA Golf Association, Women’s Golf South Africa and the GolfRSA Board of Directors”
Hepburn stated that the fund would be administered in several phases.
“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,” he said.
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.
Hepburn said details of the application process for caddies and casual workers would be communicated to golf unions and clubs.
“Once we have phase one up and running, we will advise further details on phase two, which is aimed at creating a platform to raise further funds through donations.”
