24/02/21 – Covid Restrictions Update
Dear Members
I wanted to share with you the latest information from ‘Scottish Golf’ following yesterday’s update from the Scottish Government. Please see below:
Following the First Minister’s latest update on COVID-19 restrictions, please note that there is no change to the current position for golf. This means:
• Golf courses can remain open for play with a maximum of two players from up to two households
• Outdoor coaching will be restricted to 2 people (including the coach) for those 12 years or over. Under 12s do not count towards the number so a coach can take larger groups of up to 30 U12s
• Golfers must stay close to home, travel only for essential purposes (which includes golf as part of the permitted exercise activities) and in line with the new legislation
The next update is not anticipated until mid-March. Should anything change, we will keep clubs up to date on our COVID-19 page below.
David Dick
Club Secretary
02/02/21 – Social Distancing at the Golf Club
Dear Members
It has been pointed out that there are small groups gathering, and social distancing is not being maintained, at the front of the professional shop, and at the rear of the first tee, particularly at weekends.
I must remind you of the importance of social distancing, as we have already had a few members test positive for Covid-19, and we do not want to put at risk anyone’s health by not adhering to guidelines.
I remind you that you should only turn up to play 10 minutes before your allotted (pre-booked) tee time, and once finishing your round should maintain social distancing before leaving the club.
Thanks for your cooperation
David Dick
Club Secretary
15/01/21 – Covid Restrictions Update
Dear Members
Following the latest guidelines from the Scottish government, and updated guidance from ‘Scottish Golf’, we are having to make a further change to the starter arrangements at Ron’s shop.
From Saturday 16th January, there will be no entry to the shop for members/guests.
Payment for competition and issue of cards will take place at the doorway only. With no-one permitted to enter the shop.
The sale of ANY goods within the shop will now also cease until further notice, in line with the new guidance.
Outdoor lessons are still available on a 1:1 basis, and can be arranged with Ron direct to the shop, and group coaching of under 12’s up to a maximum of 30 is still permitted.
Remember you have to adhere travel guidance to the club, to social distancing on arrival and on the course, and you should arrive no more than 10 minutes before your tee time which MUST be booked prior to arrival.
David Dick
Club Secretary
05/01/21 – Further Covid Restrictions
Dear Members
In light of Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement today and following updated guidance from ‘Scottish Golf’, we brought forward our committee meeting to tonight – Monday 4th Jan.
We are having to make changes to the current arrangements at the club with regard to playing conditions, from midnight tonight (0000hrs – 5th Jan 2021)
With effect from tomorrow we are now limited to 2-ball bookings only, and as a result, our Match Secretary has altered the BRS booking system to only allow 2 bookings for each time slot. Each booking is limited to 2 players from 2 seperate households as a maximum.
We are now also closing off the toilet facilities in line with previous guidance.,
There will be further information issued tomorrow, when we have received it from Scottish Golf, on the impact for competitive golf, and we will assess the next steps for the ‘Sewell’ Winter league competition.
Members names have been moved within BRS for later this week to split up 4-balls, into 2-balls in line with guidance, and there will be no visitor bookings accepted for the rest of the month on BRS.
Times cannot be changed tomorrow but each group will be limited to 2 balls only.
I’ll be back in touch tomorrow night with more information, though remember the key Covid rules:
Members MUST adhere to government guidance on travel restrictions to the club
If anyone feels unwell or has symptoms DO NOT COME TO THE CLUB
Bookings MUST be made in advance
Limited to 2-balls
Arrive 10 mins before tee time
Don’t touch the flags
Observe social distancing at all times
I’m sorry I’m the bearer of bad news, though we have to stick to the guidance to get through this and come out the other side.
I’ll be back in touch soon
David Dick
Club Secretary
24/12/20 – Tier 4 Restrictions
Dear Members
Following the announcement regarding implementation of Tier 4 restrictions from Saturday 26th December, the committee met via ‘Zoom’ to discuss the impact of these changes, and what this means for forthcoming events and competitive golf.
It has been decided that the Junior/Adult event planned for Tuesday 29th December will go ahead as planned, but will be limited to juniors and members of their family. Our Junior Convenor will be looking at the makeup of these groups to ensure the bubbles are adhered to where possible, and will be in touch with the Junior groups soon to confirm teams.
The Scramble event planned for the other times that day has been postponed, as the primary reason for the event was to support the caterer, and due to restrictions and temporary closure of the catering facility, this is not worthwhile continuing. The tee will be closed off from 1000hrs-1130hrs that day to host the Junior event and all other times will be opened for casual golf only.
The ‘Sewell’ Winter competition will proceed as normal subject to tier 4 restrictions including:
Tee times booked in advance
Government advice on travel restrictions adhered to when travelling to the club
Turn up 10 minutes before your time and no social gathering.
Club house and Locker facilities closed
Only one permitted within the starter/pro shop at any time.
Face coverings MUST be worn indoors
The rules on the course are unchanged and should be adhered to.
It is a difficult time right now as we wait on the role out of vaccines and a better year ahead, though I hope you all stick to the current rules and protect yourself, your families and other members too.
Myself and the rest of the Committee would like to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and hope to see you all soon.
Will keep you updated on any other news
David Dick
Club Secretary
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19/11/20 – Further Covid travel advice
Dear Members
I have contacted ‘Scottish Golf’ to seek further guidance on the variation in travel advice from the Scottish Government and Scottish Golf, their reply is below the latest ‘Scottish Golf’ update link.
https://scottishgolf.org/covid-19-update-19-november-2020/
Good afternoon David
With travel restrictions being put into law from 6pm on Friday 20 November, Scottish Golf encourages all golfers to limit travel where possible. Participants should not travel into or out of Level 3 or Level 4 areas unless absolutely necessary.
While there is a list of limited exceptions from the guidance not to travel into or out of Level 3 and 4 local authority area from the Government, sport-specific guidance has been produced in partnership with sportscotland which outlines that where a golf course straddles a local authority boundary, golfers may travel within around five miles of your local authority area for outdoor exercise.
We urge all golfers to continue to adhere to the law to ensure that everyone across Scotland can continue to benefit from playing golf.
Kind Regards
Scottish Golf Team
David Dick
Club Secretary
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8/10/20 – Dear Members
Following the announcement from the Scottish Government yesterday, we are unfortunately having to close the bar and lounge, from 1800hrs on Friday 9th October (tomorrow), until at least Monday 26th October. Both Joyce and Cath (our bar staff) will also now be put back on furlough for this period.
The locker rooms and toilet facilities will remain open, and to date there are no further restrictions on golf. I’ll advise if this changes.
Corinne – our caterer will continue to operate a take away service from the rear kitchen door, and will operate the times below until 26th October when they will be reviewed in line with government restrictions at that time. Please continue to support her during this difficult time for hospitality.
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – 0800hrs – 1100hrs
Thursday – Closed
Friday – 1100hrs -1600hrs
Saturday – 0800hrs – 1300hrs
Sunday – 0800hrs – 1300hrs
Please remember to continue to maintain social distancing, good hand hygiene and face masks inside the corridors, locker rooms and pro shop.
David Dick
Club Secretary
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10/09/20 – SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATED GUIDANCE
Following the First Minister’s update in Parliament on 10th September, Scottish Golf would like to clarify that on-course golf activities can continue under our current Phase 3 Guidance, with up to four players from four different households allowed to participate together.
Golf Clubs with hospitality venues should also note that the following changes are effective from Monday 14 September:
A maximum of six people from two households can meet both indoors and outdoors.
Staff will be required by law to wear face coverings.
Customers will be required to wear face coverings while moving around inside a hospitality venue such as entering or exiting a venue or going to the toilet.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation
David Dick
Club Secretary
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17/08/20 – SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATED GUIDANCE
Dear Members
We have received updated guidance from ‘Scottish Golf’ regarding hygiene, social distancing, test & trace etc, which I need to make you aware of, as there will have to be changes to the way we are currently operating.
There is a link to S.G Covid-19 updates below the document, though some of the key points for members to note are:
No more than 3 separate family groups to gather together inside the clubhouse.
No queuing at the bar.
Strict adherence to signing in and out of the ‘test and trace’ log book
David Dick
Club Secretary
Dear Affiliated Club,
Scottish Golf wishes to make all affiliated clubs aware of new changes made to the Scottish Government’s regulations for hospitality settings.
Effective immediately, it is now mandatory for hospitality venues to collect contact details of visitors to their premises in support of Test and Protect. The new regulations apply to all restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels in which food or drink are sold for consumption on the premises.
Businesses must now record the name and contact number of an individual – or lead member of each household in a group – that visits the premises. They must also record the date of visit, the time of arrival, and where possible the departure time.
For golfers checking in for food or drink in clubhouses before play, they should check out when they take to the course, and back in again should they visit the clubhouse following their round.
The new regulations include customers, staff working on a particular day and visitors such as delivery drivers or cleaners. Premises must store the information for 21 days and share it when requested to do so by public health officers within 24 hours.
New statutory guidance for the hospitality sector has been published which explains how to keep a record of customer and visitor contact details securely ensuring data protection principles are upheld. To view this guidance, please click here.
The Scottish Government has also published updated guidance for hospitality customers to reinforce key safety measures. To view this guidance, please click here.
This includes the need to maintain physical distancing and the strict limits on the number of households that can meet at a time – 8 people from up to 3 households indoors and 15 people from up to 5 households outdoors.
While 4-balls from four households is permitted, it is important to note that this is not the case in clubhouse settings. We recognise this will pose clubs with a significant challenge but ask for your cooperation in adhering to the latest guidance to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy clubhouses being open at a time when the virus is still in circulation.
To keep up to date on all the latest COVID-19 guidance, please visit our dedicated webpage here.
Kind Regards,
The Scottish Golf Team