COVID-19 Update 23/03/2020
COVID-19 Update 23/03/2020
Given the developing picture with Covid-19 throughout the country we want to reassure you that Forres Golf Club are closely monitoring the situation and are taking the required steps to manage the threat of the virus to our members, staff and visitors. As noted in our previous email we have now closed the bar and catering facilities at the golf club and would like to update you with the new procedures and further closures which will be introduced to limit any potential threat of cross contamination throughout the golf club.
Locker Rooms
Following advice from Scottish Golf this afternoon we will be closing the locker room facilities at the golf club for the foreseeable. Access will be available to the locker rooms to remove any belongings from your locker until the close of business on the 31st of March 2020. I would advise all members to remove all belongings from the locker room facility as soon as possible and to please get in touch as soon as possible if you will have any difficulties removing your belongings before this date.
Competitions
We have taken the decision to cancel all upcoming Open Competitions at the golf club in the immediate future with the following events currently affected by this:
• MFR Cash for Kids Charity Texas Scramble – 29/03/2020.
• Junior Open – 05/04/2020.
• Myles Wilson Greensomes Open – 25/04/2020.
Furthermore, the decision has been made to cancel to upcoming Opening Match in line with guidance from Scottish Golf and the PGA recommending that shotgun competitions should be avoided for the time being. This event will now be replaced with a walk on opening medal with tee times available between 08:30 & 14:00. All other members fixtures will go ahead as planned with booking sheets available in the golf shop following the closure of the locker rooms.
Golf Shop
In order to protect our staff, our members, all our families and the wider community as much as we possibly can we will be restricting access to the shop to only 1 customer at a time. Furthermore, the golf shop hours will be reduced to the following:
Mon: 08:30 – 14:00
Tue: 08:30 - 16:00
Wed:08:30 – 16:00
Thu: 08:30 – 14:00
Fri: 08:30 – 14:00
Sat: 08:30 – 16:00
Sun: 08:30 – 14:00
Despite the above, I would like to note that there are currently no restrictions on playing golf. In these difficult times it is important to remember the health benefits of golf as a sport that allows players to exercise outdoors in the fresh air where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low. For you all to continue playing golf and enjoying the fresh air we have introduced the following measures on the golf course:
• All bunker rakes have been removed from the golf course. Please sweep the bunker floor with your foot upon leaving a bunker to maintain a fair playing surface for all players. The R&A have relaxed rulings surrounding bunker play which will be implemented at Forres Golf Club for competition play.
• All ball washers and course benches have been removed from the golf course.
• The air compressor for the shoe cleaner has now been turned off for the foreseeable.
As we find out more regarding this ongoing situation, we will continue to monitor our own approach and will continue to update you throughout. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Locker Rooms
Following advice from Scottish Golf this afternoon we will be closing the locker room facilities at the golf club for the foreseeable. Access will be available to the locker rooms to remove any belongings from your locker until the close of business on the 31st of March 2020. I would advise all members to remove all belongings from the locker room facility as soon as possible and to please get in touch as soon as possible if you will have any difficulties removing your belongings before this date.
Competitions
We have taken the decision to cancel all upcoming Open Competitions at the golf club in the immediate future with the following events currently affected by this:
• MFR Cash for Kids Charity Texas Scramble – 29/03/2020.
• Junior Open – 05/04/2020.
• Myles Wilson Greensomes Open – 25/04/2020.
Furthermore, the decision has been made to cancel to upcoming Opening Match in line with guidance from Scottish Golf and the PGA recommending that shotgun competitions should be avoided for the time being. This event will now be replaced with a walk on opening medal with tee times available between 08:30 & 14:00. All other members fixtures will go ahead as planned with booking sheets available in the golf shop following the closure of the locker rooms.
Golf Shop
In order to protect our staff, our members, all our families and the wider community as much as we possibly can we will be restricting access to the shop to only 1 customer at a time. Furthermore, the golf shop hours will be reduced to the following:
Mon: 08:30 – 14:00
Tue: 08:30 - 16:00
Wed:08:30 – 16:00
Thu: 08:30 – 14:00
Fri: 08:30 – 14:00
Sat: 08:30 – 16:00
Sun: 08:30 – 14:00
Despite the above, I would like to note that there are currently no restrictions on playing golf. In these difficult times it is important to remember the health benefits of golf as a sport that allows players to exercise outdoors in the fresh air where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low. For you all to continue playing golf and enjoying the fresh air we have introduced the following measures on the golf course:
• All bunker rakes have been removed from the golf course. Please sweep the bunker floor with your foot upon leaving a bunker to maintain a fair playing surface for all players. The R&A have relaxed rulings surrounding bunker play which will be implemented at Forres Golf Club for competition play.
• All ball washers and course benches have been removed from the golf course.
• The air compressor for the shoe cleaner has now been turned off for the foreseeable.
As we find out more regarding this ongoing situation, we will continue to monitor our own approach and will continue to update you throughout. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.