UPDATED: Return to Golf – Golf Course Guidance
Published on 18th October 2020 in Golf News, Local News, Members NewsUpdate:
At this stage this Club has not received clear directives from Golf Australia regarding group size. The latest update from the DHHS indicates:
“A limit of 10 people from 2 household per group or more than 10 if the entire group is from the same household and you must be able to keep 1.5 metres between yourself and others. Restrictions to no more than 10 people in the facility at once except where a distance of at least 100m between groups can be maintained (e.g. golf courses).”
We appreciate your patience as we navigate through these restrictions and ask that you double check your tee time, as some changes have been made. Our Golf Shop staff will be onsite from 6:30am tomorrow morning, so please do give us a call if you have any concerns.
The General Committee of the Flinders Golf Club take great pleasure in announcing some positive news and a return to golfing activities. We wish to take this opportunity to thank all our members for your patience and support throughout the Covid Pandemic and in particular the most recent period of lockdown restrictions on the golf industry.
The booking timesheets will be open at 11:45am today, for bookings from Monday 19th October onwards, please be patient initially as Members will experience some difficulties with the online booking system being overloaded due to the high demand.
General
Following the Premier’s press conference and statement today announcing the easing of restrictions, in Metropolitan Melbourne, from midnight on Sunday 18th October, we are thrilled to announce a return to golf at the Flinders Golf Club. We of course remain subject to further government directives. This is a positive development, yet we all must deal with this pandemic and the resulting restrictions as best we can together.
The measures as listed below will be in place for all golfing activity until further notice. These measures are foremost tailored for the health and safety of all our members, visitors, employees and the wider community. They also adhere to the directions of the government and the advice of the health organisations dedicated to minimising the impact of the COVID19 virus.
It should be noted that everyone at the Club has a personal and social responsibility to observe these guidelines and maintain social distancing requirements at all times. Our measures and procedures are under constant review and will be updated as advice from government, health authorities and the sport’s governing bodies evolves in line with the gradual lifting of social restrictions.
Course Access
The course is open seven days per week subject to normal playing rights.
From Monday 19th October the course will be open to Members only, Monday through Saturday with the exception, visitors may book in (Mon / Wed / Fri) 4 days prior, allowing Members 4 days of timesheet priority. Visitors will have access Sundays. Members guests are permitted (Mon / Wed / Fri / Sun).
The course will continue to be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday’s for Member only access. Initially there will be no club run competition golf, however on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Members will be able to submit a score for handicapping purposes using the MiScore App as per separate advice. CLICK HERE to find more information and guidance on downloading the MiScore App.
The golfing syllabus and golfing competitions are on hold until further notice removing the restriction to hold competitions is received from Golf Australia.
On The Course
All tee times must be pre booked via the electronic booking sheet which will open 8 days prior at 2:00pm. Groups will start at 8 minute intervals from the first tee only.
Members’ guests and visitors’ name and contact details must be provided with every booking. Group will be in 2’s until we are informed otherwise. Groups of 4 are permitted if the 4 golfers are from a maximum of 2 households. To book a round for 4, please contact the golf shop.
Players should not turn up without a prior booking.
Players are to provide their own equipment including buggies, sand buckets etc.
Members will be provided with a sand bucket if required, please ask at the Proshop.
Hiring of carts is not permitted.
To minimise congestion players are requested to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior their booked time slot.
Social play can be from any teeing ground, gold, red, blue or black, there may be no tee markers out during social play. Play for the purpose of handicapping is to be from the Blue course for Men and Red course for Women. Please manage tee wear and be mindful of playing groups behind if choosing a longer tee.
Course marshalling may be conducted to reinforce social distancing guidelines.
Clubhouse
Toilets will be open, however there will be no access permitted to showers and lockers. The toilets and access areas will be subject to regular cleaning. All other clubhouse facilities will be closed. This will be reviewed by the General Committee depending upon demand and in line with any government restrictions.
The administration staff will continue to work off site for some part. Should there be any need to contact the office, please do so via email on marketing@flindersgolfclub.com.au
Pro Shop
The pro shop will be open for registration and for the purchase of golf items. Card payment only. No cash transactions accepted.
Practice Fairway
The practice fairway is closed for general use except for individual or group lessons under supervision of the Club professional. Handling of practice golf balls during lessons is not permitted.
COVID 19 Course Etiquette
Please do not come to the Club if you feel unwell or if you are in self isolation or required to do so.
Please advise the Club Case Manager, David Osmond, mobile 0409 002 849 or email david@doanda.com.au if you have tested positive for COVID 19.
Please maintain social distancing at all times and refrain from physical contact.
A maximum of two people (excluding staff) permitted in the pro shop, clubhouse bathrooms etc at any one time.
Use of the practice nets and practice putting green in front of the clubhouse are restricted to two persons at any time and personal golf balls must be used.
Ball washers, bunker rakes and on course drinking fountains have been removed or disconnected.
Flag sticks should remain in the hole and should not be touched.
Please take your own precautions when using the water taps around the course.
Spacers have been inserted into the cups to make ball retrieval easier.
Please smooth out bunkers with your club or shoe after playing your shot.
Please adhere to the Governments directives on face coverings.
On completion of your round please depart the course and car park as soon as possible and avoid congregating with others.
Finally
We ask that everyone respect the rules in place and social distancing requirements. We continue looking forward to seeing many a happy face around our course and also wish you all the very best for your golfing activities.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of uncertainty. Supportive feedback from our members has been much appreciated. If at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call myself on 0419 893 671 or our Women’s Captain, Sue Wilson on 0419 308 827.
Play well, stay well and enjoy all that our great course has to offer. Welcome back, I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Yours Faithfully,
