44th Edition • April 21, 2021
Continuing to Work On Your Behalf
to Have Golf Reopened
The NGCOA Canada continues to work hard, alongside our Ontario We Are Golf partners, advocating on behalf of the entire golf industry in Ontario for the reopening of golf.
What We Are Doing
Outreach to the Ontario Government has been ongoing since the pandemic began over a year ago now. With the increases in COVID cases and the understanding that the third wave has hit Ontario, your NGCOA Canada team, along with our Ontario We Are Golf partners, have been in touch with the Ontario Government on numerous occasions and most recently including March 30th, April 7th, April 16th, April 19th, as well as yesterday April 21st.

An outreach campaign with the key message that Golf Is Safe/Outdoor Recreation Must Reopen has been focused at Premier Ford, Deputy Premier Elliott, the MPPs on the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee, CMOH Dr. Williams and his colleagues by the Ontario We Are Golf partners and key stakeholders.

In the past 48 hours, multiple medical health professionals have reached out to the golf industry to add their voice to our collective efforts with the message that outdoor recreation (including golf) must be opened for Ontarians immediately.

To read the latest communication sent April 21st, please click here.
How You Can Help Right Now
We have highlighted below some of the key points that we think are important in discussions with the government right now. If you, or any of your members have direct contacts within government, or want to reach out to MPP’s; here are the key points to focus on so that there is a consistent and clear message being presented to Government:
 
Golf proved in 2020, and in early 2021, that it is well-positioned to provide Ontarians with some much-needed outdoor exercise, mental stimulation and social time with family or friends in a safe environment.

As the #1 participation sport in Ontario, in 2020 alone there were well over 20 Million rounds of golf played by over 1.8 Million golfers in Ontario with ZERO known cases of COVID transmission at a golf course. The data is clear:
  • Golf is safe.
  • Golf is naturally aligned to physical distancing.
  • Golf has a clear set of well established, very safe protocols.
  • Golf has important health benefits - the studies are clear about golf – it is good for your heart, it relieves stress, and it can improve your mental health.
  • And many recent articles from doctors across the province indicate that the science is clear … outdoor transmission is extremely rare. 
Together, we will continue to push for the safe inclusion of golf courses and driving ranges as options that are permitted to be open during this stay-at-home order.

The NGCOA Canada continues to monitor announcements, engage with government officials and provide updates as they become available. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
 
Sincerely,
Southwestern Ontario
866-626-4262 ext. 44
Central Ontario
866-626-4262 ext. 49
Eastern Ontario & Outaouais
866-626-4262 ext. 45
515 Legget Drive, Suite 810 | Ottawa, ON | K2K 3G4