FAQ’s for Monash Members – Covid-19 Update @ 23 March

The most recent Government ‘Stage 1’ announcement, Sunday 22 March, has significant impact on the club and staff, with the clubhouse now closed. Good news is that members will still be able to play golf, albeit under modified circumstances during this time. Please also note that this is uncharted territory for all of us. There will be disruption to what you experience normally.

Of course, golfers should exhibit a heightened awareness of personal hygiene and adhere to social distancing guidelines, as has been encouraged by state and federal health departments. By its nature, golf promotes a level of social distancing and while it is important that this is adhered to, golf is a lower risk sport than many others.

Please note this list of FAQ’s will be displayed on the website and is subject to change at any time. Please ensure you keep yourself up to date by viewing these FAQ’s from time to time.

Golf

Will the golf courses be open? Yes – All tee times must be booked via the booking sheets on the Club’s website.

Will tee times remain the same? No. For the time being we will be running one tee starts 7 days per week.

All tee times will now be at 10 minute intervals to allow safe social distancing and avoiding unnecessary congestion around the club and within the proshop. Existing tee times will be modified as best we can, please understand the difficulty involved with shifting bookings. All tee times must be booked via the booking sheets on the Club’s website.

Will the proshop move me into a group if I am on my own? Yes, ultimately the proshop have total control and are able to move a member from one time to another to ensure all members get on the sheet whilst also providing gaps in the field where we can.

Will we still be able to play comp? Yes. There will be single Stableford events only. We are looking at running both a 9 hole and 18 hole comp. The reason for this is members time may be limited with family responsibilities and a member may not want to spend extended time at the club.

What about Major Events? All major events at this time will be either postponed or not played.

Will the club charge for social rounds? Quite possibly, decision pending. Please remember this is all about the survival of Monash now and into the future. We need to keep our greenstaff on duty and as many of our other valued staff as possible. We will drive revenue as we see fit.

What Temporary Rule Modifications will we play?

Following advice from Golf NSW and the R & A the following temporary rules will be in place from Wednesday 25 March 2020.

SCORING

In view of concerns about handling and exchanging scorecards, on a temporary basis, the following arrangements are mandatory:

1. Players enter their own hole scores on the scorecard (it is not necessary for a marker to do it).

1. It is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place.

1. Return the completed scorecard to the Proshop where staff will enter the results. No scores to be entered via kiosk.

FLAGSTICKS

The following arrangements are mandatory:

1. Players to leave the flagstick in the hole at all times.

HOLE

Please note the following arrangements:

1. Course staff will position the hole liner at a very shallow level so that a ball can easily be extracted without touching the sides.  A ball at rest in the hole will be considered to be holed even if it is not entirely below the level of the hole.

BUNKERS

Please note the following arrangements:

1. Rakes have been removed from the course.
2. Preferred lies in bunkers. 30cm no nearer the hole. Players are encouraged to repair damage to bunker as much as possible using shoes and club.

What should I do about a sand bucket? Please feel free to take one with you and make it yours. We have ordered more and will have our existing buckets sanitized. While golf is played we expect divots to be repaired.

Can I invite a guest to the club? No. Unfortunately with limited tee times for members guests are unable to play.

Will pull buggies and ride on carts be available? Yes. Pull-buggies will be available and sanitized before and after use, we are encouraging members to bring your own buggy. Ride-on carts are available as ‘single use only’ however can carry two sets of clubs. Cost $25 each. Must be booked and will be provided on a first come basis.

Will the golf practice facilities be available? The Driving Range will be open from mats only. Half the mats will be removed to maintain safe social distancing. Putting and chipping green open provided members adhere to safe social distancing procedures.

Can I book a golf lesson? Yes, golf lessons will remain available. However, social distancing will be implemented, with no direct contact taking place.

Can I purchase items from the proshop? Absolutely.

Will food be available from the proshop? Yes. Individually packaged food will be available. Seating will be removed from the proshop at this time.

Clubhouse

Will the office be open? No. Unfortunately Sally-Ann has accepted leave without pay and will be offered a position when this saga ends. Helen and I will work limited days and access emails from home. Phones are still down so please send emails to John gm@monashcc.com.au or Helen finance@monashcc.com.au

Can I access the locker room? Yes. However access is from outside, not via the internal clubhouse doors.

What facilities are available in the locker rooms? Toilet facilities are available unfortunately no showers. Pump sunscreen has been removed so we encourage members to bring their own.

Could chef Jon provide takeaway meals available for purchase from the Clubhouse? We would like to provide this service. At this stage we are working through the logistics.

Would the club be able to provide ‘rescue hampers’ for members? Similarly to above we are working through the logistics as we would like to be able to provide staples for members (wine included) which will also assist our suppliers who are also struggling.

Staff

Will staff be affected?

Yes. The team are all aware that at the end of this we want Monash to bounce back to normal as quickly as possible. Thank you very much to the members who have reached out and offered support to our fantastic team. For an unknown period of time we will all face changes within the workplace as we know it. We are working through this difficult period with each staff member individually. Importantly when this is all over we want to be ready to get back into doing what we love and that is providing members with a fantastic environment to play golf amongst friends.

At some point we will provide a list of those staff members affected most during this period, namely the casual staff. If any members were able to offer work for any team members it would be most appreciated.

Thank you again for your support and taking the time to read this message.

As I said to the staff none of this is our doing, we have a strong membership, a fantastic Board and a terrific culture, we will bounce back.

Stay safe and look after one another!

Regards John Harrison – General Manager

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