Good evening everyone,

As I’m sure you’re aware, the Scottish Government are now moving to phase 2 of the relaxed restrictions. Scottish Golf recommendations can be seen in full on their website https://scottishgolf.org/phase-2-guidance-for-golf-clubs-and-golfers-in-scotland/

What does this mean for us?
Social distancing remains the same which means the clubhouse, locker rooms and toilets will remain closed.

The guidelines now allow us to move to 3 or 4 balls. The committee have decided, to simplify the setting up of competitions and for casual bookings etc that we will be allowing a maximum of 3 balls at ten minute intervals as of next Wednesday the 24th of June. We shall remain at 2 balls until Wednesday and bookings shall remain in place until then.

Unfortunately to allow us to change the draw sheets and booking sheets to 3 balls we will have to delete the casual bookings already made from the 24th onwards. Players who have made bookings will have to re-book their tee times once the booking sheets have been amended. We shall inform everyone as soon as the changes have been made and bookings can then take place.

Start times on Mondays and Wednesdays are to change to 7 o’clock as from Wednesday.

We shall also be allowing visitor bookings but with restrictions on Saturdays and Wednesdays to ensure our members have priority on these busy days. Visitors will only be able to book after 2pm on these days.

The practice putting green has been opened again but be aware that the green has recently been sprayed as have the greens on the Corbie Hill course.

The lottery draw is proving to be very popular and I would like to ask our members to encourage family and friends to take part. Standing Orders of £5 a month or £60 annually can easily be set up to to the following account :- sort code 83 20 17 account no 14011435.

Thanks once more for your support.

Stephen Thomson
On behalf of the committee.

Dear Member,

I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health and managing well through the current difficulties.

Resumption of Golf

You will by now be aware that the Scottish Government has published a ‘roadmap’ that details a number of phases through which we will gradually move out of lockdown and return to relatively normal life. From this Friday (May 29th) and subject to final confirmation from the First Minister, the Golf Course will reopen for play.

I am writing to you now to set out the new rules and regulations which are largely determined for us by the Scottish Government and Scottish Golf
You will be able to book a game on either the CorbieHill or Rosehill Courses on the Scottish Golf App or by ringing the office from tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12 noon. Please do not try to book before this deadline. Preferred method of booking should be done via the App or Website as this will help guard against overwhelming the office staff. Only those with a confirmed booking in this way may play on the course. We cannot permit ‘walk-on’ games for now.

If you or anyone in your household has any symptoms of COVID 19 or you are ‘shielding’ as defined by the Scottish Government or if you have a cold or flu-like symptoms you should not play golf.

Before setting off to the course, please use your own bathroom facilities as the Clubhouse and the on-course toilets will be closed. You should bring a drink, some food, a small towel and some hand sanitiser.

If your clubs are still in the locker room, you must contact Debbie in the office to arrange a specific time on Friday at which she will provide access to you for this purpose only (please do not use the toilets during this visit as this would represent a significant infection risk).

When parking your car at the club house, please observe social distancing. You can change your shoes from your car boot. If you would otherwise be unable to play without an electric cart, please book one through the office. The putting green will be closed for now.

Please wait in the car park until you can see that the group ahead of you have cleared the first tee and during play, please ensure that you maintain a two metre distance from your playing partner at all times.

The Committee have decided that in order to avoid any confusion, for the time being play will only be permitted in two balls. Solo players are of course also welcome but there should not be any three or four ball play for now. This situation will be kept under constant review.

Play should proceed without delay but at all times staying well away from the group ahead if they are on the tee or the green. You should look for a lost ball on your own. Subject to the usual rules, if you cannot find it please do not return to the tee but rather drop at the nearest point of relief. Do not pick up ‘finds’.

There are no bunker rakes and you should sweep the sand with your feet or club. To avoid slow play, please take a preferred lie in bunkers by placing within one metre. You will find that the hole liners (cups) have been lagged to ensure your ball is easily retrieved.

There will be no competition play for the time being. If you are recording scores please mark only your own card during this time.

You will see during play that all ball washers have been removed and that all benches have been taped off. The on-course toilets will remain closed for now.

At the end of play, please do not shake hands. If you have taken out a buggy please return this to the store entrance and ensure you leave as you find it, taking your rubbish home with you. A volunteer will ensure it is deep cleaned before storage.

You should return to your car and leave the car park without undue delay.

If you follow these guidelines, we will all be able to enjoy our great game without interference.

MEMBER ACCOUNTS

We have also now achieved another significant milestone within the VMS system in that member accounts are now live after a successful final sign off with ScottishGolf yesterday.

This will prove a great help to the club in the current climate and in the future with no cash handling, no access required to clubhouse for closing competitions etc and a real time saving for all the volunteers who help administer the competitions. It will also allow us to take visitor fees up front and collect “open” competition monies prior to the event, again an area where the club has lost out on lots of income in the past.

With the above in mind can I ask members in readiness for the resumption of restarting competition golf currently penciled in for the 13th of June to commence the topping up of their accounts.

Topping up can be done in one of several ways:

1) Via the app and using a preferred credit/debit card
2) Via Calling the office and providing credit/debit card
3) Via the website in the Members Area
4) When the time allows, a Cash transaction at the office

We are currently assessing which is the most time and cost efficient method for top up moving forward and will communicate this is in due course but please be assured that options 1,2 & 3 are no different to providing details for any online purchase and is equally as safe. Our merchant services provider “Stripe” has PCI service provider level 1 credentials which is the highest grade of payment processing security available.

There is an element of credit built into each member’s account which will allow for one game with a zero balance but it is a members responsibility to ensure their account is topped up as required to ensure no disruption to their play.

There are several pre-determined top up amounts laid out which are £20, £25, £30, £35, & £100.

We intend to use the coming days & weeks to allow for a rescheduling of our fixture list and allows time for entry into VMS. This also allows a period of time for the membership to have their account topped up in readiness for the resumption of Competitions. All of the above timelines are subject to change.

Good luck on Friday with your game and I hope we get a great summer for golf.

Yours sincerely,
Stephen Thomson
Captain
On behalf of the Committee