News Archive

11th May 2020

Members update – 10 May 20….we are nearly there

All Members

This afternoon clubs received an update from Stuart Fraser, the CEO at Golf NSW advising that the NSW Government is continuing efforts to finalise guidelines for recreation, exercise, and sport. Golf NSW further advised (later in the day) that NSW golf clubs should anticipate the playing of golf in groups of four from Friday, 15 May with outdoor gathering numbers not exceeding 10 persons. Confirmation of the NSW Government guidelines is not expected until Wednesday, 13 May.

The situation in the ACT is that on Wednesday 13 May, the President of our DGA will participate in an ACT Government VIDCON where representatives of all sporting bodies will hear the Government’s plan for the resumption of sport in the ACT. We are hopeful that the ACT Government’s proposals will be aligned with those of NSW, and that we will gain approval to return to four-person golf, with continuing social distancing and personal hygiene requirements remaining in place.

However, until there is a formal announcement that four-person golf is authorised by the ACT Government, the current restrictions of two-person golf will continue with associated social distancing and other requirements continuing to apply.

Please be assured, as soon as we have definitive advice in relation to the ACT, I will let you know. In the interim, we will start our planning to return to four off the Tee.

On the operation of the course and after consultation with CEO Ainslie (and our Course Superintendent, Shane) we have agreed that the current course opening arrangements will continue. For some context, Shane and his team have been using Mondays to catch up on tasks that would otherwise be put-off or disrupt golf. With assistance from Mark Hynes and Michael Brice (members of the Greens Committee) and Mike Hogben (our Vice Captain) a number of trees are being removed which is something done most safely when the course is closed. Today, two large trees (Poplars) were taken down on the 13th (nearing the approach to the Green) which could only have been done when golf was not being played.

CEO Ainslie agrees that we should return to full operation as soon as this is practical and economic and he too, is hoping this can be sooner rather than later. Until our return to seven-day operation, six days is not too bad and allows us to play very regular golf.

Good golfing.

Richard Oliver/President

9th May 2020

Continued restrictions

Hi all,

Subsequent to Kevin’s post yesterday afternoon, we have received specific advice from the ACT government regarding the status of physical distancing restrictions in Canberra as they relate to golf. While groups of 10 are now allowed, both indoors and outdoors, and some forms of group exercise are also allowed (such as boot camps), restrictions on community sporting events have not been relaxed.

Unfortunately, this means that we will need to maintain golf being played in groups of 2 for a while longer. Considering this, we will also need to keep the existing restrictions on members only making 2 advance competitions bookings per week. We will provide further advice as soon as there are changes that will allow us to return to groups of 4.

Thank you for your continued patience, and apologies for prematurely getting peoples hopes up of returning to normal golfing operations. Hopefully we are not too far away now.

Mike

8th May 2020

ACT restrictions eased

Hi Everyone,

Looks like the light at the end of the tunnel wasn’t actually a train coming to run us all over !

With the easing of restrictions in the ACT, the committee has implemented the following:

This Saturday and Sunday will remain as groups of two (a lot of hassle and short notice to manipulate the timesheets). Please adhere to the groups (no joining groups on the course. Penalty = disqualification)

The time-sheets for next week that are already open (Tue and Wed) will be changed to groups of four. If you have already booked, please check your bookings next week to confirm.

Friday competitions will continue while ever they prove to be popular and well patronised.

Next weekend will return to normal timesheets for both Saturdays and Sundays. Booking restrictions will also be lifted.

I would personally like to thank firstly our members for their patience and consideration over the last few weeks. It has been tough for us all. Secondly the great committee members that have frantically worked behind the scenes having meetings and discussions daily to get things organised

Good golfing and stay safe

Capt Kev

4th May 2020

Update for Members – 4 May 20

All Members

This will be a very short update as there is little to report at the beginning of this week. CEO Ainslie has requested that the status-quo remain in place until the ACT Government softens the current COVID 19 restrictions, which we are still hoping will occur in the near future. The specific measures that have been mentioned in my recent updates will remain in place until further notice with the course continuing to operate on each week day (except Mondays) and on both weekend days. The Pro-team will continue to run competitions on each of the ‘open’ days except for Thursdays which will be available for social play via bookings though the Pro-shop. The course will remain closed on Mondays until further notice.

Remember, should you be keen to play some additional competition games over and above the two currently allowed, feel free to check the time-sheet for the next day after 4.00pm on the day prior, for any vacant slots.

Regards

Richard Oliver/President

2nd May 2020