26th June 2020
Golf Competitions at KCGC
As flagged in recent updates, as things have calmed down, a lot of focus has been put into what are the good things coming out of COVID-19 (if there can be any) that we want to continue with/ tinker with as golf opens back up at KCGC and we move toward and through stage 3 restrictions.
A great thing we believe coming out of the COVID crisis was opening up the timesheets to both male and female members while playing spots have been restricted. It has allowed people to play at times that may not otherwise have been available to them and for men and women to have the option of playing together at different times. It has also been extremely beneficial to have one nine holes available most days for the green staff to work on.
We are going to continue with this into the future. We believe this is important if we are to have “one club” not divided by male and female golf or when you can or cannot play. We consider this is consistent with the modern-day and research and recommendations from golf industry bodies.
Effective from the implementation of Stage 3 restrictions (expected 10 July 2020) we will be implementing the following competition arrangements:
Tees
Most competitions will go off one tee unless member demand for golf in the competition requires otherwise. This presently being Saturday and a small window on Wednesdays. The one tee format provides more choice in playing times and assists the maintenance team in their efforts to present the course. We remain very conscious that certain events & special days throughout the year will see a need for this format to be varied.
Saturdays
We will continue with three (3) tees as pre-COVID.
There will be no restrictions on when a 7-day member can play on a Saturday (male or female). This has been the case over the summer months and will now formally apply all year round. Saturday ladies will retain the three (3) tee time block in the AM & three (3) tee block in the PM as pre-COVID. However, should the designated ladies spots not be utilised by the Tuesday before the Saturday, those spots will also be opened up to the entire membership.
Sunday
Sunday competitions will remain a medley/mixed golf as pre-COVID. With a significant increase in demand for member weekend golf & shorter winter days, the Sunday booking sheet will continue in a bigger format. The competition tee times will be from approx. (10:30am – 12:30pm). It is anticipated that these booking sheets will eventually return to a format similar to pre-COVID.
The Club has operated principally as a “members only” facility for the past three months, with little to no pay to play golfers. The Clubs membership pricing model is very much reliant upon income from “pay to play” golfers. It is therefore imperative that we re-engage and attract this customer back to the Club as soon as possible. Sunday mornings have historically been a time we have maximised play of this type and this will/must progressively phase this back into operations.
Mondays
Except for the Veterans Golf that occurs on Mondays, play on this day will be social.
Tuesdays
Tuesday competitions will no longer be Ladies only. Tuesday competitions will be open to ladies and men. The traditional Tuesday competition format will continue with the Ladies Committee driving the format of the day.
A booking block for ladies will be maintained. However, both men and women will be able to book times outside of this window. There will be a ladies competition winner and then an overall winner for others in the competition field.
A nine-hole competition will also be provided for and dedicated times within the field will be available for both ladies & gents.
Ladies’ open days & any other special events scheduled in the calendar may require access restrictions to be applied.
Wednesdays
Wednesday competitions will cease being a men’s only day, with the competition played as a Medley. The traditional Wednesday competition format will otherwise continue as pre-COVID.
Special events scheduled may require access restrictions to apply.
Thursdays
Thursday competitions will be open to ladies and men as was the case pre-COVID & there will be a ladies competition winner & Gents winner. Partner/Fourball events will be played as Medley events.
A nine-hole competition will also be provided for and dedicated times within the field will be available for both ladies & gents.
As a club, we should be proud of how we embraced and adapted to the necessary changes that accompanied COVID. We now look forward to a new phase, that includes the opportunity to leverage the many good things that have become part of our Club in recent months. No doubt there may be a few adjustments and learning along the way, which may require some patience, but we are determined to make this a success.
These initiatives have the full support of management, the Board and the Ladies Committee.
Best wishes
Luke Simpson (President) & Jennie Gribble (President – Ladies Committee)
