Why Playing Golf In Nairobi Should Automatically Be An Essential Service.

The essence of this article is that of a plea and not a challenge to the authorities.

To the non-golfer, let me introduce you to aspects of golf that are seldom spoken of in open conversation.

You don't have to be Karl Jung, or for that matter, a psychologist of repute to understand a man's true character if you are on the course with him for the first time. It will take you four hours during which time, honesty, patience, timekeeping, mental concentration, personal determination and all temperaments in positions of gain or loss come to the fore. It is the best psychometric assessment ever developed and applied, I kid you not, if anything, golf should be added to psychology 101. I will give you a story at the end.

Kenya has upwards of 42 golf courses and 8,000 active golfers. Majority of these golfers live and play golf from Nairobi and its environs of Kiambu, Machakos and Nakuru - all in the zoned off area in the wake of new Covid-19 infections.

And far away from the zoned-off area, the sights and sounds of people walking the length and breadth of Likoni's floating bridge and those boarding the ferry at the coast in their hundreds epitomise the perfect way to spread the coronavirus.

Granted, the bridge and ferries provide an essential service but in contrast to players movements experienced during a golf tournament or even at a two-ball friendly Tee-off, which already are both well within the prescribed safety precautions, it is the caddies that bear the brunt of the present suspension.

The twenty clubs within the locked-down zone have about 65% of active golfers. These players depend on caddies and alternately ball spotters who earn a thousand shillings per round. Ordinarily, most earn two thousand or more per week and have no other sources of income. In the golf courses that are close to high-density slums, these caddies serve as self-appointed ambassadors of goodwill and have immensely contributed to the harmony enjoyed on both sides of the divide as most clubs have CSR programs with these dwellings.

We are talking of hundreds of breadwinners to thousands of dependents. Some clubs, through concerned members have voluntarily raised funds to defray the living costs for this humble lot, But for how long will this happen? Why can't our able government help out with their sustenance during the suspension of sporting events? I assure you, the IMF won't question this one at all. The clubs can forward the caddies names for them to benefit as is the case with the vulnerable members of society who enjoy allowances via Mpesa.

Several golfers are of the thinking that golfing is akin to walks and runs organised as fundraising efforts for worthy courses. We have had freedom-from-hunger walks on our roads and those for several other deserving courses elsewhere in Kenya. Golf is not different. Many golfers routinely play in order to pay their respective caddies for a job well done. It is exercise and a sense of 'utu' all in one.

When we focus on the players alone, we miss the point by a mile. The good news is that the game has room for more including non-golfing government officials who may on occasion depend on prejudiced positions to decide for a sport that has practised social distancing for centuries. Every player stands on the tee box alone and the same is true for the entire round.

The teams tee off 8 minutes apart and walk the distance while apart and also would arrive at the showers in the same manner. But we only want the clubs opened for playing members and then everyone returns home to shower. There is no direct contact at any point.

It is only the category of 'social members' and spectators who must be kept away from the clubs for now because the term 'social' in itself makes it hard to keep a safe distance.

So as I have argued, golf should be added to the list of essential services. Members will be safely back at their homes before curfew sets in, after having soaked in enough solar earlier, an element scientifically proven to combat Covid-19 through the synthesis of vitamin D.

I had promised you a story.

One day on the course, a combined low handicapped four-ball teed off on a par five 10th hole.

Mr. X's shot was quite a drive but into the trees on the right. Luckily for him, he found his ball and was able to send his second shot toward the green. As they all walked to the green, the other players easily found their balls and got on for three. Our long hitter found his ball closer to the green and just before he chipped it close to the hole, his marker asked: "are you sure that this is your ball?". And a confident Mr. X confirmed it.

When the first man holed out for a par, he not only retrieved his ball but there was a second ball in the hole. It was clearly marked with Mr. X's name. In real play, Mr. X had managed an Albatross, a rear two club score on a par five hole. He had played a wrong ball and his supposed birdie suffered a two strokes penalty that in total added up to four lost strokes - leaving him with a bogey and a ton load of embarrassments that heavily weighed in on the rest of his game. To this day, opinion is divided on the interpretation of golf rules on that afternoon. Some maintain that the penalty was correct while others opine that once the ball was holed out, it did not matter what other balls the player hit.

Fortunately, golf cheats are the exception rather than the norm. But the cheating in this particular story highlights the inbuilt social distancing aspects of the game which may, unfortunately, on occasion serve to advantage dishonest players.

Please let the golfers back on the course and allow the trickle-down effects to bring back joy to the lives of those who silently complete and balance the equation, or, please chip in for their sustenance as the GoK.