By Richard Owen

Maleny Golf Club has fitted its fleet of golf carts with innovative COVIDsafe partitions so golfers can share a ride with another player while complying with social distancing protocols.

Club Manager and PGA professional Wayne Perske said the partitions were made from inexpensive clear PVC plastic sheeting and were used simple low-tech fixings.

“Over the past couple of months we have permitted only one person to use a cart in response to Coronavirus social distancing requirements,” Mr Perske explained.

“Unfortunately, this resulted in a significant loss of potential income and additional wear and tear on the course and every golf club in the country is grappling with the same problem.”

The partitions were designed by one of the club’s members who is an upholsterer and reflect similar, but generally more expensive, approaches being adopted by golf clubs abroad.

Among the first golfers to try out one of Maleny’s “COVIDsafe” golf carts were recent visitors Michael Moore and Steve “Tubby Connors who were keen to promote the idea at their home of club Maroochy River.

Mr Perske said Maleny Golf Club was now sharing its design approach with other clubs looking for a quick,inexpensive solution and could also assist with manufacture if needed.

“Of course players sharing these carts must still adhere to all social distancing protocols while selecting clubs from their bags and use separate sand buckets to fill divots,” Mr Perske said.

Visitor patronage has soared over the past month since the world’s number 6-ranked golfer, Adam Scott used Instagram to live broadcast a 9-hole match-play round from Maleny with Mr Perske – a long-time friend.

Mr Perske said Adam’s generosity and patronage had given Maleny Golf Club a “massive credibility boost” which had put the course on the international golfing map.