Dear members,

Well, what a few days it has been trying to work through the myriad of guidelines and recommendations required to open under Level 2 tomorrow.

The golf aspect of life under L2 is relatively simple – it is the complexity that comes with the re-opening of retail and the clubhouse services that has caused many conversations amongst club managers and others across the country.

I will communicate in more detail over the coming days rather than bombard you with information all in one go.

We will not operate perfectly from day 1 so please demonstrate patience as we all get used to the necessary protocols under L2. We will need to amend these as we go and your assistance and feedback is welcomed.

The key points that will affect members in the short term are;

Golf

         · Play no longer restricted to bubbles

         · Handicapping system live again (scorecards in use but do not exchange cards with others)

         · The pro shop Kiosk will be closed to reduce congregating and touch points

         · Scorecards will be pre-printed and should be collected from outside the pro shop

         · Scorecards returned to area outside the pro shop for staff to input

         · Pins back in on course but not to be touched/removed and no pins on putting green

         · No bunker rakes (preferred lie rule)

         · Pro Shop open for trading (with some restrictions) but avoid entering unless you wish to purchase an item(s) i.e. drinks, snacks, golf glove/balls etc

         · Contactless payments preferred rather than cash handling

         · Driving range open (with some guidelines in place)

         · Course toilets open

         · Drinking fountains and ball washers still closed /removed

         · Physical distancing of a minimum of 2m between playing groups on the course

         · Contract tracing rules still in effect i.e. checking in either via DotGolf app or manually by pro shop staff.

Clubhouse

         · Clubhouse only open on Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th but…

         · Food purchase compulsory if you order alcohol. Please do not come to the clubhouse if you do not want to purchase food with your alcohol order as this is non-negotiable and a strict requirement of opening our bar

         · Clubhouse toilets and changing rooms available during business hours

         · Patrons must sign in and out of registers in clubhouse foyer for contact tracing purposes

         · Clubhouse table service only – order food and drinks at bar

         · Tables will be set up for groups of 4 players to maintain 1m distancing

Hygiene

         · All players should wash and dry their hands before and after play

         · All common touch points and surfaces will be regularly sanitised by staff

Club Captain Doug Claridge will update you all on the competition programme shortly but from Monday 18^th the normal playing programme will resume (i.e. Midweek Men on Monday & Thursday, Midweek Ladies Tuesday etc…)

That’ll do for starters I think.

Despite all theses rules I’m sure you’ll all enjoy your golf!

Cheers,

Neville