WELCOME

It is a welcome sight to be seeing many countries across the world finally getting on top of the current COVID-19 crisis, as we begin to come to terms with what has been a truly devastating situation for all.

Slowly but surely, golf began its own tentative steps out of 'lockdown' as being one of the first activities in many countries to be given permission to resume its activities [albeit with various social distancing restrictions]. So far, the news and feedback that we have received from the vast majority, if not all Member Countries has been that golf is coming out of lockdown in an extremely positive way.

In my eyes this is testament to two key principles of golf and the industry. The first is the willingness of golf associations and bodies to collaborate with one another, be that by issuing COVID-19 guidance, lobbying various governments or just geenrally supporting the industry in any way that they can.

The second principle is the unique nature of our sport. The fact that you can spend 3-4 hours in wide, open green-space with very limited human contact, whilst benefitting your physical health, mental wellbeing and social skills has placed golf in a strong position to reopen its doors, and crucially before so many other sports.

Could we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here, to stake golf's claim as a low-risk sport that is for all ages, genders and abilities, that also happens to be extremely good for you and your health? Perhaps. Only time will tell but seizing this opportunity is a must. 

Now the focus of support for our own 32 CPG Member Country turns to easing ourselves back into some sense of a new normality. We continue to review and update our guidance to all of them, whilst providing educational resources and tools for them to use and distribute across the cumulative network of 12,550 PGA Members.

For example, our #CPGMasterclassSeries of webinars proved to be hugely popular during lockdown, enabling individuals to further their own #Development - these continue to be highlighted in this month's magazine, available for all to watch.

We hope you enjoy this month's edition of #IGPN, which covers news from across the industry including our 'CPG Member Country PGA Feature' on the PGA of Poland, the effective way the FFG, PGA of France and the CPG's honorary President, Pascal Grizot, engaged their government to allow a quick and beneficial resumption of golf, and other interesting content from PING, the Swiss PGA, the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT] and others.

#TOGETHERNESS #COLLABORATION #DEVELOPMENT

IAN RANDELL

Chief Executive

Confederation of Professional Golf