Dear Members
Welcome back everyone and I hope you are enjoying the beautiful autumn weather, I think we have been blessed for the first few days of the opening, however, not sure this will last.
We are lucky enough to be allowed to resume golf, but we have not resumed under normal circumstances. The State Government have implemented regulations which unfortunately are designed to limit the amount of people that arrive and visit golfing facilities. Due to Social Gathering numbers currently at 10, we are still able to play in groups of 4 but we need to be mindful of groups of golfers mingling and socializing together.
Golf has resumed under the banner of exercise and mental health. We still need to be mindful that the State Governments edict is ARRIVE ON TIME, PLAY GOLF, GO HOME.
I played on Sunday and from my observations it all went well, however, on the first few days of the reopening it seems like some of our members and social players are not adhering to the instructions set out by the Victorian Government. However, most of our Members have adopted well to these unusual times.
If you have not seen the videos that the Pro Shop Staff released please check out the web site explaining what we should all do on arriving at the course. Matt and Max did a great job of which is simple and straight to the point. There is also a good tip on how to get on the waiting list if you miss out on a game on any of the days. Also, there is some good information on the Golf Australia web site.
One thing I would like to say it is disappointing to see numerous members playing in 3 of our four main competition days i.e. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Many members who are still working are missing out on the day they enjoy the most, which is a Saturday. The Committee does not want members to miss out on playing competitions but if you are playing in multiple competitions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday would those particular members please consider playing the Sunday Competition instead of the Saturday. If the committee sees the above practice continuing it may need to limit the number of competitions played each week by members through this COVID-19 period.
We are experiencing unprecedented load on our time sheets from members at this time and I would like to thank members for their patience through this period. Coming into winter this will only increase due to lack of light, our grey nomad members who normally venture north will still be here and playing golf and with all other sport cancelled golf is the activity everybody is wanting to play. I have attached a table below to show you how the competition numbers will look for next month.
Potential June Competition time sheet times and player numbers.
Competition Day Player Numbers & Times available
As you can see by the above table, our player availability spots decline during winter hours. Please understand that these are unprecedented times and difficult for everyone. The Committee along with the Pro Shop Staff are working very hard in an attempt to get the right mixture and format so every Member can get a game especially now we are coming into winter.
Due to the Government restrictions of 10 or less people gathering at any one time it is very difficult to open up two tees at this time, for the simple fact that more Members would be arriving at the course at one time, entering the pro shop, going to the tee when other members are just completing their rounds especially at the tenth tee and ninth green. When the restrictions are eased to allow for social gatherings of twenty people this could be the trigger for us to commence a 1st and 10th tee start on Saturdays with the Committee managing the practice facility and car park and tee areas.
The club is also hoping more members will participate in the Sunday Competition to help alleviate the backlog on the other main competition days. We are also looking at a running men’s competition on a Wednesday after the Ladies competition as an overflow for men who have missed out on a game on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.
I would like to thank a couple of our members for giving their Saturday game up to allow two members who are still working the chance to play. Great gesture thanks again.
Captain and Committee
Pro Shop Newsletter containing videos on golf course procedures
