Trevor Ng
There have been several instances of golfers and golf coaches making the news due to COVID-19. Jon Rahm, the number one ranked golfer in the world, had to withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics despite being vaccinated and asymptomatic. Bryson DeChambeau, another golfer, also missed the Olympics due to COVID-19, and he was not vaccinated. In another case, a golf coach in New Zealand was stood down for not being vaccinated and won an employment case, receiving over $15,000 in compensation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golfer's name | Bryson DeChambeau |
| Reason for missing Olympics | Testing positive for Covid |
| Regret over not getting vaccinated | No |
| World ranking | No. 7 golfer in the world |
| Vaccination status of replacement golfer | Vaccinated |
| Replacement golfer's name | Jon Rahm |
| Country represented by replacement golfer | Spain |
| World ranking of replacement golfer | No. 1 ranked golfer in the world |
| Previous Covid infections | Yes, two months before |
| Post-vaccination Covid infection | Yes |
| Post-vaccination negative test | Yes |
| Reason for missing Olympics | Testing positive for Covid |
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What You'll Learn
- Golfer Bryson DeChambeau tests positive for COVID-19, unvaccinated but unregretful
- Jon Rahm, the world's No.1 golfer, tests positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated
- Benjamin Harwood, a golf coach, was dismissed from Whangamatā Golf Club for being unvaccinated
- Richard White, the club's GM, required all employees to show a vaccine certificate
- A 21-year-old NCAA golfer develops Myocarditis after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
Golfer Bryson DeChambeau tests positive for COVID-19, unvaccinated but unregretful
Golfer Bryson DeChambeau has tested positive for COVID-19 and is unvaccinated. DeChambeau, who was set to represent the United States at the Tokyo Olympics, had to withdraw from the games after contracting the virus. The golfer has stated that he has no regrets about his decision to refuse the vaccine, claiming that "the vaccine doesn't necessarily prevent it from happening." He also added that he is a "healthy, young individual" and would rather give the vaccine to those who need it more.
DeChambeau's decision has sparked some controversy, especially since he had to miss out on the Olympics due to his COVID-19 diagnosis. The golfer acknowledged that his performance might suffer due to the infection, as he had lost "8 to 10 pounds" and believed his clubhead speed had decreased. Despite this, DeChambeau remains unapologetic about his choice to remain unvaccinated.
DeChambeau's stance on the vaccine is in contrast to the majority of Americans, with more than 165 million people in the country being fully vaccinated. Additionally, data shows that the vast majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in the US occur among the unvaccinated. However, DeChambeau is not alone in his experience with COVID-19 disrupting Olympic dreams. Jon Rahm, the number one ranked golfer in the world, also had to withdraw from the Olympics due to a COVID-19 infection, although he was vaccinated and asymptomatic.
DeChambeau is a well-known and polarizing figure in the golf world, with a reputation for being widely disliked by his fellow players. He is known for his feud with fellow American golfer Brooks Koepka, who has publicly stated that they "don't like each other." DeChambeau, however, does not seem to shy away from controversy and has expressed his enjoyment of the feud. Despite the backlash, DeChambeau remains unwavering in his beliefs and continues to make headlines both on and off the golf course.
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Jon Rahm, the world's No.1 golfer, tests positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated
Jon Rahm, the world's number one golfer, has tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. Rahm was forced to withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after testing positive in his third round of testing before traveling. The Spanish golfer had previously tested positive two months earlier ahead of the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament, but he later tested negative and was able to compete and win his first career victory at Torrey Pines.
Rahm took to Twitter to alert his fans of the situation, both in English and Spanish. This news came just hours after US golfer Bryson DeChambeau also tested positive and had to withdraw from the games. DeChambeau, the number seven golfer in the world, claimed that except for getting vaccinated, he had taken "all the necessary precautions to not contract it."
Despite being vaccinated, Rahm's positive test forced him to miss the Olympic Games. It is important to note that PGA Tour golfers are not required to be vaccinated to continue playing. However, the tour strongly encourages players to get vaccinated and provides information on preferred vaccines.
While vaccination does not guarantee complete protection against COVID-19 infection, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Rahm's case highlights the importance of following public health guidelines and staying vigilant in the fight against the pandemic, even for elite athletes.
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Benjamin Harwood, a golf coach, was dismissed from Whangamatā Golf Club for being unvaccinated
Benjamin Harwood, a golf coach at Whangamatā Golf Club, was dismissed from his position in December 2021 due to his unvaccinated status. Harwood had worked at the club for just over a year when he was let go following the club's "no jab, no play" policy. This decision came after golf clubs across the country began implementing mandatory vaccination policies for members and players to mitigate the risks associated with the Delta Covid-19 variant.
Harwood's roles at the club included professional golf coach, director of golf, and customer service in the retail shop. When asked to complete a risk assessment, Harwood marked himself as "low/medium" risk. However, the club's general manager, Richard White, disagreed and assigned him an overall high-risk rating. Harwood responded, expressing concerns about the generic nature of the assessment and asserting that his employment agreement did not require him to undergo any medical procedures to perform his duties.
In a letter to White and the board, Harwood also raised concerns about the vaccine, citing his rights under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. He proposed that the risk to vulnerable individuals he might interact with could be managed through self-isolation and testing if he experienced Covid-19 symptoms. Despite this, White maintained that all employees must show proof of vaccination. Harwood was given until December 3 to receive his first vaccine dose, with his employment set to end on December 26 if he failed to comply.
On December 3, White notified Harwood of his dismissal, effective December 31. Harwood expressed disappointment with the board's decision and the lack of consideration for his previous proposals. He took the club to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), arguing that their policy was ""unreasonable and unfair" and failed to explore alternatives to dismissal. The club countered that they engaged in a fair consultation process with Harwood regarding the vaccination policy and the consequences of non-compliance.
The ERA ultimately ruled in Harwood's favour, awarding him over $15,000 in compensation for humiliation, loss of dignity, and injury to feelings, as well as two months' wages. Authority member Marija Urlich acknowledged that while the club provided Harwood with a fair opportunity to comment on the policy, they failed to exhaust all possible alternatives to dismissal, rendering their approach "incorrect."
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Richard White, the club's GM, required all employees to show a vaccine certificate
Richard White, the club's general manager, required all employees to show a vaccine certificate. This was part of the club's "'no jab, no play' policy, which was implemented to address the risks associated with the Delta Covid variant. The policy required employees and contractors of the golf club to present a vaccine certificate by December 25, 2021, or their employment would be terminated on December 26.
Benjamin Harwood, a golf coach at the club, refused to get vaccinated and was subsequently dismissed. He argued that the club's policy was "'unreasonable and unfair' and that it failed to consider alternatives to dismissal. Harwood also pointed out that his employment agreement did not require him to undergo any medical procedures and that his role did not fall under the vaccination mandate.
In response, White disagreed with Harwood's self-assessment of "low/medium" risk, giving him an overall rating of high risk. White maintained that the club had a fair consultation process regarding the vaccination policy and engaged with Harwood regarding his non-compliance. He also stated that all employees would be required to show a vaccine certificate and set a deadline for Harwood to receive his first vaccine dose.
The dispute began on November 2, 2021, when White and the chairperson of the club's governance committee, Terry Wilson, met with staff to discuss the new policy. Following his dismissal, Harwood took the club to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), which ruled in his favor. The ERA ordered the club to pay Harwood compensation for humiliation and loss of dignity, as well as two months' wages.
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A 21-year-old NCAA golfer develops Myocarditis after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
A 21-year-old NCAA golfer, known only by his first name, John, developed myocarditis after receiving his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. John was a healthy collegiate athlete before receiving his vaccine, after which he was hospitalised with a severe heart issue. Doctors informed him that his athletic career may be over. John was mandated by the NCAA to get vaccinated, but he claims that students were not warned about the potential severe side effects, especially for young people.
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle, typically triggered by a viral infection. While it is often mild and resolves on its own, in some cases, it can lead to severe complications and even death. The condition can cause a variety of symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and arrhythmias. In some instances, it can lead to heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.
It is important to note that the development of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination is a rare occurrence. The benefits of vaccination in preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19 greatly outweigh the risks of this rare side effect. However, this story highlights the potential for serious adverse events following immunisation, even in young, healthy individuals.
While the COVID-19 vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and are generally considered safe, there is still much to learn about their long-term effects, especially in certain high-risk individuals. It is crucial for individuals to be informed about the potential risks and benefits of any medical intervention, including vaccination, to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
This case also underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and reporting of adverse events following vaccination. By identifying and studying these rare occurrences, healthcare providers and regulatory agencies can better understand the risks and work towards mitigating them, ensuring the safest possible vaccination programmes for the public.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Bryson DeChambeau was not vaccinated when he tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2021.
No, Bryson DeChambeau did not regret his decision to not get vaccinated. However, he did admit that his game might suffer as a result.
Yes, Jon Rahm, the number one ranked golfer in the world, also missed the Olympics due to COVID-19.
Yes, Jon Rahm was vaccinated. However, despite testing negative, he still had to withdraw from the Olympic Games.
Yes, a golf coach, Benjamin Harwood, was stood down for not being vaccinated. He won an employment case and received over $15,000 in compensation from his former employer.
