One of the Bendigo region's premier clubs, Axedale Golf Club, has flagged its intention that for members to participate in competitions they will need to be fully vaccinated.

"We have written to our members to let them know, while the committee is yet to reach a final position, our expectation is that they will need to be fully vaccinated to play in our regular competitions," club secretary Owen Davies said.

More than anything the club would like to return to normal operations which would include competitions and the reopening of its hospitality service, which has taken a hit under current COVID-19 compliance rules.

"Society as a whole can see the finish-line, but we're just not quite there yet," Davies said.

RELATED: New vaccine mandates announced for authorised workers

There has been recent delays for a return to competitive sport, which at this stage could be pushed back to at least November 5, which is the date predicted Victoria will reach its 80 per cent fully-vaccinated target.

A concern moving forward is how a club, which operates primarily off a volunteer-base, would enforce similar rules for non-member green fee players.

"It could be a tricky one, as for a hypothetical scenario where sport only becomes available for the fully vaccinated, we could easily track this among our members as we have their details and information registered," Davies said.

"But it would become difficult for green fee players as we wouldn't be sure who is rocking up and at times we wouldn't have people available to enforce it."

Golf Australia senior development manager Mark Bamford said GA supported any organisation, including golf clubs, that run vaccination campaigns among its members.

"It comes down to personal choice and we want to make sure there's a choice involved for everybody," he said.

"We won't be taking a position in any shape or form that takes away from personal choice, but we do support vaccination in terms of helping our industry get back to normal.

"We're not about to mandate or require anyone to vaccinate, if clubs require it of their members, then we will support that.

"In the same way we will also support clubs that don't require it of their members.

"It's as simple as the more players that are vaccinated the more chance we have of returning our sport back to normal and that's something we want to encourage."

The Loddon Campaspe leading support organisation, Sports Focus, is encouraging participants across the district to make an informed decision whether they do or don't get vaccinated

"Our goal is to get the message across that if people want to return to sport uninterrupted, then clubs and organisations need to encourage their members to get vaccinated," Sports Focus business manager Stuart Craig said.

"At the same time It's essential to respect people's decisions and we want to ensure people make the choice that they want to make.

"A decision that is beyond self and for them to think about who the people are that they will come into contact with."

SPORT NEWS:

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: