MANILA, Philippines — A golf course in Trece Martires City, Cavite was shut down after 91 golf club members conducted an alleged illegal tournament, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla revealed on Wednesday.
“Last week, 91 members of the Sherwood Hills Golf Club along Governor’s Drive in Trece Martires City, conducted an unauthorized ‘tournament’ in the guise of a “Member’s Day” event,” Remulla wrote in a Facebook post.
“The members tried to circumvent the rules by claiming that there were no trophies, awards, score cards nor prizes. They made it appear that only token gifts were provided to the participants,” he added.
Specifically, the governor said the members violated the government’s rule that public gatherings must be limited to 50 percent for areas under modified general community quarantine.
“IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) prohibits mass gatherings in sporting events beyond the 50% rule; [As amended by Paragraph A (4) (c) of IATF Resolution No. 43, June 3, 2020 and Paragraph B of IATF Resolution No. 56, July 16, 2020],” Remulla said.
Remulla also noted that “spectators in all non-contact sports and exercises shall be prohibited, thus organized play is NOT allowed under quarantine.”
Remulla added that the club members supposedly played “Shot-Gun” format at the golf course.
Remulla also said the organizers denied that there was a tournament at the golf course to evade penalties.
“The intent of the organizers from the beginning was to conduct a tournament but was disguised at the last minute in order to evade sanctions,” he said.
With these violations, Remulla said they will close the golf course indefinitely while they wait for the reply of the club management.
“By virtue of an Executive Order issued on September 22, 2020, Sherwood Hills Golf Course is INDEFINITELY closed because of the aforementioned violation. We shall await the response of the Club Management before we decide to allow its re-opening,” he said.
In a text message from INQUIRER.net, Cavite Public Information Office said they will allow the Sherwood Hills Golf Club to impose penalties against its errant members.
“Only the golf club can decide on its members. Government can only close down the facility,” read the statement when sought for comment about the penalties imposed against the members of the golf club.
INQUIRER.net is still awaiting the reply from Sherwood Hills Golf Club regarding the golf course closure and sanctions involving its members.