Hi again everyone,
It has been a very busy few days working through the requirements for opening on Tuesday.
As you may be aware, opening is optional for clubs and there are several prominent Canterbury clubs that have decided not to open for play under Level 3.
I have listed again at the end of this email the operational guidelines that we must adhere to when we open for play. Bookings are member only through until Sunday May 3rd and we will review this for the following week in the coming days.
Some of the tee bookings already in the system do not appear to be compliant with guideline 6 – play alone or only with those in your bubble. If you have made a booking that includes someone outside of your bubble please go back and amend/cancel this as you will only be permitted to play alone or with someone in your bubble.
There will be no exceptions to this guideline so we ask you assist us and avoid any issues upon arrival.
Other main points to note are;
- Players should arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before their tee time to set up, check in with the course marshall(s) and have a quick practice putt/chip before moving to the first tee.
- There is to be no congregating or gathering at any stage either before or after your round. Players must leave the grounds immediately after play.
- The driving range will be closed.
- All toilets on course and the clubhouse will be closed for players use.
- Players must maintain a 2m distance from other players on course outside of your bubble.
- There are no scorecards or handicapping system available.
- Carts will be available only to those who need them to play 9/18 holes. These need to be completely sterilised after each use, as do hired trundlers.
- The entrance gates will be locked each night from 5:30pm so rounds need to be completed by 5:15pm.
We appreciate members patience and assistance in these very different and challenging times.
Government operational guidelines:
1. A COVID-19 safety plan must be in place, including risk controls for any staff that may be on site (see note below).
2. Players must adhere to regional travel restrictions. Players can only travel within their region, and across a regional boundary if it is in their local area.
3. All players must be registered to enable contract tracing if required (see New Zealand Golf’s earlier guidance on contract tracing templates and our mobile app technology to support).
4. Golf courses must be able to control access to the facility and advanced tee booking procedures must be in place (online, phone, text etc). This is to ensure there is no opportunity for players to congregate.
5. Golfers must arrive ready to play and leave the facility immediately after play.
6. Play is only possible for those playing alone or playing with others from within their bubble. Do not arrange to meet anyone else to play.
7. At risk players (such as those over 70) may need to take extra measures to protect themselves. The Ministry of Health are developing further guidelines for at risk groups.
8. All clubhouse, pro shop, changing room, toilets and any other facility at the golf course must be closed to players and visitors (only available to be accessed and used by essential staff on site).
9. If retail, merchandise or takeaway food and beverages are to be provided, purchase and delivery must be completely contactless and observe 2 metre distancing. Players cannot enter premises.
10. Scorecards cannot be physically issued prior to play nor returned after play. No scores will be accepted by the NZG handicapping system at Alert Level 3.
11. An appropriate interval between tee times must be observed to ensure distancing between groups is maintained. A 6 minute interval between solo players is recommended. An interval of 10 minutes between groups that have two of more players is recommended. Golf courses might like to consider specific times of each day for groups of different sizes.
12. Players must maintain a minimum distance of at least two metres between themselves and other players on course who are not in their bubble.
13. Shotgun or multiple tee starts should be avoided in order to stop the congregation of players.
14. Driving ranges and other practice or warm up facilities must be set up to ensure minimum 2 metre distancing between players. If driving ranges are used, appropriate ball and surface sterilising must take place.
15. Equipment cannot be shared. If golf carts are to be used, they can only be used by people inside the same bubble. Golf carts and trundlers must be completely cleaned and sterilised after each use.
16. All pins must be removed from practice putting greens.
17. All pins / flagsticks are to be removed from the course and we suggest the hole is cut in the centre of the green. The cup should be slightly raised or placed upside down.
18. All bunker rakes must be removed from the course.
19. All drinking fountains, ball washers, shared sunscreen stations and on course toilets must be closed.
20. Any staff who are on site should be provided with any appropriate personal protection equipment to ensure they can remain healthy and safe. No physical interaction between any essential staff and players can occur.
We look forward to seeing you back playing (albeit a very different version), from Tuesday.
Stay safe all.
Neville