As you most likely heard yesterday, the Premier has brought forward stage 2 easings to midday today. This is great news for the Club and will go some (but not all) of the way in easing the continued pressure on the weekend timesheets.
We had been preparing for this on the 12th but we are well prepared and will be in a position to bring this forward with the requisite COVID safe plans in place for this coming weekend.
The new rules will allow us to open another 9 holes but not allow us to move to 3 courses which will need to wait until stage 3.
How it will work is a little confusing but most importantly will provide another 100 spots (approx) in the Saturday field bringing the field from 204 to approximately 304 which we hope will ease the frustration that has been building up the longer restrictions continued.
The intention is to leave all other days as they currently are as timesheets are near full but not oversubscribed.
On Tuesday, the booking sheets for Saturday/ Sunday will continue to be released together to ensure all members have access to a game on either Saturday or Sunday.
Saturday Sheet Version
Course Booking Sheet 1 – 6:20 am – 12:28 pm (Alternate 1)
Course Booking Sheet 2 – 6:20 am – 8:12 am (Alternate 2) & 10:40 am – 12:48pm (Alternate 3)
Alternate 2 will tee off the nine to be played second by Alternate 1 and then move to the nine to be played first by Alternate 3.
Alternate 3 will tee off behind the Alternate 2 field and then move to its second 9 which will be behind Alternate 1 field.
Sunday Sheet Version
Course Booking Sheet 1 – 6:20 am – 12:44 pm
Whilst playing times have improved significantly since pre- COVID helped by one tee starts, the great work of our marshals and people moving through half way promptly, there is a concern that the increased capacity may slow things down again. Can we ask that you remain aware of your place in the field and mindful of those at the end of the field wanting to finish in daylight. If you are asked to hurry up by a marshal, please take it on board and catch up. It is not a slight against you but merely a reminder of where you need to be.
The rules (eg no rakes, pins in etc) will remain unchanged. The practice fairway will no longer be limited to 3 persons however markings will remain to assist in ensuring social distancing at all times.
We have also made the decision to remain closed to visitor golf for the time being to provide the best opportunity to our members for a game of golf. This will be revisited as things progress but we truly hope to delay this as long as possible should member participation continue at the current rate.
To give you an idea of the use of the golf course at the moment:
- In the last 7 weeks we have had circa 10,000 members rounds (both comp and social rounds) which is incredible;
- This time last year we had circa 380 comp players on a Saturday and Sunday. Before this week, our Saturday/ Sunday comp timesheets accommodated 408 players. So we have had more spots over the entire weekend but, as you know, demand on these days has far exceeded capacity. More people are playing golf in COVID (which we hope continues).
The booking system has been under a lot of pressure the last few weeks and we have been working with our service provider to ease the glitches but the booking behaviour has been far from normal. As an example, we have approximately 750 6/7 day members. At 4pm last Tuesday, we had about 900 active sessions trying to book a group. Go figure. We do not expect (although are hopeful) the more spots available will improve the 4pm rush in the short term.
The clubhouse will also remain shut for the time being with stage 2 easing rules not being conducive to how the bar is set up.
Members are reminded that BYO Alcohol is not permitted under any circumstances. Any Member failing to observe this requirement will be subject to significant fines under the Liquor Act and appropriate action from the Club itself.
Best wishes and stay safe,
Luke Simpson
Club President
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