After it was announced last week that courses would reopen across Melbourne, it was pure joy to the ears of golfers.
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Especially those who play for a living, such as Bendigo's Andrew Martin who now lives in Melbourne.
However, it was then clarified that players were only able to attend courses within 25km of their homes and with Martin a member at Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club, it's located more than 50km from where he lives in Melbourne's inner western suburbs.
"Unfortunately it now rules me out of playing down at my club but hopefully the PGA will be able to sort something out," Martin said.
"I was in a better position last week when courses were closed as I was able to go to the Sandhurst Club to practice as I was given an elite athlete work permit."
In relation to the 25km limit, it is just one aspect of the current metropolitan Melbourne restrictions that are currently being lobbied for reconsideration.
"Golf Australia and the PGA are working collaboratively to ensure the needs of the entire industry are being heard and we remain optimistic that further information will be released by the relevant government departments in addressing these concerns," GA posted on its website.
Another concern for Martin and other Victorian PGA touring professionals is the likelihood of getting to play tournaments throughout the normal summer pro-am season.
"In terms of tournaments everything is up in the air and it's pretty hard to predict how it's all going to play out," Martin said.
Martin said there were chances that prize money could be less than in the past due to less commercial support, but there was still a hunger to play events.
"We just want to be able to play, of course the money is a good thing but even if it's less we all still want to be able to play for the prestige of winning the trophy," he said.
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