CADDIES SEND SOS CALLS TO GOLF CLUB MEMBERS AMID HARSH ECONOMIC TIMES DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS
A section of local caddies have raised the red flag, slightly more than a week after Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe ordered that all golf clubs stop them from accessing the clubs, to minimize the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
While a few clubs are taking care of their caddies during the current difficult situation that has literally paralyzed all sporting activities in the world, some clubs have abandoned them, forcing a section to raise an alarm, before things go out of hand.
It’s believed that Karen Country Club and Muthaiga Golf Club are some of the clubs that are taking care of the caddies since the pandemic began.
“Karen have been giving each of their caddies shopping vouchers worth Sh2, 000 every Friday to sustain them, while Muthaiga Golf Club through their members, donated food stuffs to their caddies that could sustain them for close to two months as they weigh the situation of the current pandemic,” a senior caddy who sought anonymity told Kenya Golf Guide on phone.
He added: “Have not totally locked out their caddies, at least they have allowed their members to call their preferred caddies whenever they want to have a round of golf, Vet Lab members are also understood to have introduced a kitty to look into the welfare of their caddies, totaling to about 176.”
And last week, former legislator Peter Kenneth came in handy as he gave a personal donation to the Vet Lab caddies that saw them go home with assorted food staffs.
The concern spreads to all the golf clubs countrywide, whose caddies depend on the sport as their only source of living.