Qld Health Notice 5th June:

COVID Safe Industry Plans

From Friday 5 June, golf clubs and facilities operating under an approved COVID Safe Industry Plan will be allowed up to 20 patrons in multiple defined areas.

There is no need for golf clubs and facilities to prepare and lodge with government an individual COVID Safe Plans. Golf Clubs and facilities must adopt two (2) COVID-19 Industry Safe Plans:

1. The Industry COVID Safe Plan for Queensland Hotels and Clubs

2. The Industry COVID Safe Plan for Outdoor Sports

Prior to operating under the new regulations, golf clubs must ‘opt in’ to the Plans by completing the Statement of Compliance included in each Plan.

Clubs must also ensure compliance with the Plan. Clubs are encouraged to complete the checklists within the Plans to ensure compliance.

Click here for the Statement of Compliance

Motorised Golf Buggies

Golf Australia has received confirmation from the Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr. Jeannette Young, through the Department of Justice and Attorney-General that effective immediately motorised buggies can be used in the same manner they were prior to the COVID-19 restrictions coming into effect, this includes two people sharing a cart that are not from the same household. Golf Clubs and Facilities are required to ensure motorised buggies are adequately cleaned and disinfected before each use.

The Industry COVID Safe Plan for Outdoor Sports Recommendations

The Industry COVID Safe Plan for Outdoor Sports is a generic sports plan. Golf Australia in conjunction with Golf Queensland provides the following COVID-19 Safe Plan Guidance for all golf clubs and facilities in Queensland to utilise. Click here for further information.

Click here for the COVID-19 Stage 2 FAQ’s

As of Saturday 16 May 2020, as part of stage one of the Queensland Government Roadmap to ease Queensland’s restrictions, clubs may commence dining in their cafes, restaurants, and bistros. This will be limited to 10 people at any one time, while observing social distancing of 1.5m and at least 1 person per four square metres of space. There shall be no bar or gaming activities at this stage.
For those Clubs in Outback Queensland, this is increased to 20 people. There is still to be no bar or gaming activities.
As of 12 June 2020, it is planned that under stage two restrictions this will increase to 20 people for the above activities (50 for Clubs in Outback Queensland).

As of 10 July 2020, it is planned that under stage three, registered and licensed clubs may re-open, with limits of 100 people. This will extend to bar and gaming activities. 

Golf Australia will provide further operational guidance on any further changes closer to these dates.

COVID-19 Safe Plans

Clubs must have a COVID-19 Safe Plan in place. We understand that the Queensland Government has prepared a COVID-19 Safe Plan which will be available for distribution in due course. Clubs should use the guidance within this document as part of their COVID-19 Safe Plan.

COVID-19 Safe Checklist Information
Key Points for golf clubs:
• You are required to complete and display COVID Safe checklist before trading once Stage 1 Easing of Restrictions commence on 11.59pm on 15 May 2020.
• Draft COVID Safe checklists are provided in the link below. Final checklists will be published by Wednesday 13 May 2020.
• These checklists tell you what you need to do if you are a business in the above two categories to be COVID Safe. The checklists include input resulting from consultation with key industry stakeholders.
• You must complete the Checklist to ensure you comply with essential health requirements to enable you to open and provide a safe environment for your customers and your staff.
• You must complete, sign and display the checklist in a prominent, visible location at your business premises.

Two weeks after the 14-time PGA TOUR winner sent the Sunshine Coast into a frenzy by popping in to play at Maleny Golf Club in the hinterland, Scott has agreed to a return visit that will be broadcast to the world.

Scott and long-time friend, PGA Professional and Maleny General Manager Wayne Perske will face off at the picturesque 18-hole layout from 8am on Friday morning, Perske joking that he might need a five-shot handicap to keep pace with the 2013 Masters champion. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic making crowd attendance impossible, Scott’s Maleny match will be shown via his Instagram account (@adamscottofficial) and give Aussie golf fans a rare opportunity to watch live golf featuring one of our very best.

“He came up on Tuesday with his dad for a game and asked whether we could do an Instagram Live match on the back nine on Friday morning,” said Perske, a former winner on the Japan Golf Tour. “I’m thinking there’ll be quite a few people logging on to watch and I’m sure it will end up on YouTube afterwards. “I don’t know why he chose me but it’s going to be pretty cool.

“We used to play in a few amateur events together but I was 20 and he was 15 at the time. He’ll say that I beat him a few times but that’s probably what a 20-year-old should do to a 15-year-old.” As he was playing his second round at Maleny on Tuesday, Scott received national recognition for a story by renowned journalist Roy Masters in the Sydney Morning Herald that proclaimed the Queenslander as the winner of the “lockdown act of kindness” award. Ross Campbell’s daughter Leigh reached out to Scott as her father – suffering with seven brain tumours – believes that he and Adam are best mates and regularly play together at Riverside Oaks in Sydney’s north-west.

Given their relationship, Ross was not at all surprised by Adam’s phone call but for his wife, Pam, it was a moment in time that she will cherish forever. “Many high-profile athletes must get so many requests to put themselves out, yet Adam responded to my daughter’s request straight away,” Pam told the Sydney Morning Herald. “The video he sent also shows him practising putting and Ross can watch it any time he feels inclined.” Wayne Perske has seen it many times before.

Upon his return to Australia last month Scott reached out to Perske and Caloundra Golf Club PGA Professional Tom Arnott asking in what ways he could help. Perske suggested the publicity generated by a visit to the club would do wonders; Arnott had to politely decline when Scott offered to come and help clean golf carts due to a shortage of staff. “That’s the kind of stuff Adam does all the time and most of the time no one ever finds out about it,” adds Perske.

“The lady obviously wanted to give him some credit for what he did but he doesn’t do it for any fanfare or accolades. “A bloke saw that I played with Adam the other day. He sent a message asking whether I could ask Adam to send a video message to his 9-year-old son who just idolises Adam. “He didn’t hesitate. He spent 30 seconds wishing the kid a happy birthday, thanking him for his support and encouraging him to keep practising. “He does that stuff all the time without batting an eyelid.”

A portrait of Scott by Perske’s wife Vanessa that was entered into the 2014 Archibald Prize hangs in the modest clubhouse at Maleny and now also boasts the autograph of the subject.

When he played two weeks ago Scott hit a soaring 2-iron 268 metres from the 10th tee to the 12th green that landed within eight inches of the hole, leaving those who witnessed it with a story to tell every time they step onto that tee box.

Article from PGA Australia - Tony Webeck

FROM GOLF AUSTRALIA - 2 APRIL 2020

Many golf clubs around Australia have either re-opened, or are considering doing so, after recent state and territory-specific rulings or directives.

Golf Australia, while not wishing to act in a manner contrary to those specific rulings or directives, remains of the view that golf is a non-essential activity, a view which sits comfortably with the current Federal Government directive and rules to “stay at home” unless absolutely necessary.

Of course, Golf Australia is merely recommending that position to all clubs around Australia and ultimately we respect the right of the clubs to act in the way they see fit while complying with all social distancing requirements. Golf Australia has adopted - and will continue to adopt - a prudent position of respecting and heeding Government advice on all matters pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The recommendation we formulated around course closure was based on the position Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken and, at all times throughout this issue, Golf Australia has sought to provide the latest Federal and state advice for all golf clubs around the country. That has proved an extremely difficult task given that various state positions have been constantly changing, almost on a daily basis. We apologise for any confusion that has caused, but we are sure you can understand these are unprecedented times in our country and, indeed, for our great game.

That so many people are passionate about the sport is a great sign of the game's significance in our community and we are truly sympathetic to those who are desperate to once again walk the fairways, but we as the national governing body feel that in this time of crisis for so many in our community, it is best to be safe. Furthermore, we strongly believe that unity, prudence and safety during this unprecedented crisis is the best way for us to assist with "flattening the curve" of Covid-19's surge through the community and we believe that golf and our industry has a role to play in doing this.

Our recommendation to remain closed therefore remains the same - Australia and our community come first. We yearn to see full fairways and clubhouses, but not as much as we desire our population to be fully healthy once again. As always, Golf Australia remains on hand to offer clubs advice and support through these troubling times, regardless of whether or not they've chosen to open or close.

The most up-to-date information on all Australian golf matters pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic will be prominent at https://www.golf.org.au/covid-19 on the Golf Australia website. We implore all golfers to follow the State and Territory guidelines contained within this document. We will endeavour to provide constant and relevant updates as soon as possible in this ever-changing landscape.

Above all, please stay safe.

In light of national and ongoing Covid-19 concerns, the SCSBDGA Management Committee reluctantly confirms the upcoming events through to the end of May have been cancelled. Golf Australia’s protocols insist that all events involving crowds or large-scale travel be strictly reviewed given the current health issues we’re confronting as a community. That is, the following events will not proceed in 2020:

• 6 April – Masters’ Tour @ Wondai
• 7 April – Masters’ Tour @ Kingaroy
• 3 May – District Novice Junior Event @ Maleny
• 3 & 4 May – District Mid-Amateur and Senior Men’s Championships @ Caloundra. Please note that Caloundra Golf Club may still proceed with their own event. Contact Caloundra Golf Club directly for more information.
• 11 May – Masters’ Tour @ Woodford
• 26 May – District Inter-zone Masters’ Team Challenge @ Murgon (Sunshine Coast vs South Burnett)
• 31 May – Inter-District Team Match Play vs Golf Wide Bay @ Tin Can Bay.

These decisions are not taken lightly. But regrettably, these events will not take place in 2020. The priority will always remain the safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders in the sport.

Decisions about future District events will be made at a later date.

Furthermore, the Masters' Tour schedule has changes in the format for the remainder of the year. Whenever possible, it has become necessary to prevent groups of people congregating in the clubhouse, Proshop and scoring areas. Hence, the District Masters Tour events will not be shotgun starts for the foreseeable future.

The table below shows the format changes (at this stage):

Date	Course	Starting Tees	Tee Times	Starting Interval
6 April	Wondai (9 holes)		CANCELLED
7 April	Kingaroy (18 holes)		CANCELLED
11 May	Woodford		CANCELLED
8 June	Caboolture	1st  10th	9:00am – 10:45am 9:05am – 10:50am	10 minutes 10 minutes
20 July NEW DATE	Cooroy	1st	8:00am – 11:00am	10 minutes
10 Aug	Caloundra	1st  10th	9:00am – 10:45am 9:05am – 10:50am	10 minutes 10 minutes
4 Sept	Bribie Island	1st  10th	9:00am – 10:45am 9:05am – 10:50am	10 minutes 10 minutes

Of course, the COVID-19 situation is still rapidly developing and further changes, postponement or cancellations may be announced in the future.

The SCSBDGA has been carefully monitoring all information available regarding the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 and remains focused on the health and safety of the Sunshine Coast, South Burnett and Glasshouse Mountains golfing community.
While the game of golf itself is a low-risk activity, there are many accompanying factors that increase the possibility of spreading the infection. Of course, the COVID-19 situation is still rapidly developing and further measures, postponement or cancellations may be necessary in the future. The following golf-specific precautions are to be followed (as a minimum):

EVERYONE

• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. DO NOT GO TO GOLF.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.
• Do not congregate in close contact groups.
• Maintain 2m distance between yourself and anyone.
• Avoid touching/leaning on surfaces unnecessarily.
• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

GOLF CLUB, PRO SHOP & COURSE STAFF

• Stagger/spread the flow of players and patrons.
• Pre-print all scorecards to avoid players using a registration kiosk.
• Remove all flags/flagsticks from practice putting/chipping greens.
• Ensure all benchtops, shelving, office equipment, cash registers, kiosks, card readers, etc are cleaned regularly throughout the day.
• Clean all contact points on motorised carts, pull carts, and course machinery daily or more frequently as required.
• Clean all flags/flagsticks/ferrules daily or more frequently as required.

PLAYERS

Clubhouse and Proshop

• Avoid queues whenever possible. Do not congregate in close contact groups while queuing to register/pay.
• Maintain 2m distance between yourself and anyone.
• Avoid touching/leaning on any surface.
• Make sure people follow good respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze.

On the First Tee

• Do not congregate in close groups while waiting to tee off.
• Maintain 2m distance between yourself and anyone.
• Do not shake hands at any time.
• Avoid touching/leaning on any surface.
• Do not “toss up the balls” to determine partners. Use another method.
• Make sure people follow good respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze.

General Golf 

• Maintain 2m distance between yourself and anyone.
• Do not ride in a motorised cart with another person.
• Avoid touching/leaning on any surface e.g. bench seats, tee signs, etc.
• Do not touch the flag/flagstick. Leave the flagstick in for all putts.
• Do not touch other people’s golf equipment.
• Do not let other people touch your golf equipment.
• Make sure people follow good respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

Stay informed and follow official advice 

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19.
Follow advice given by your national and local public health authority on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. 

Golf Australia advises of key changes to several planned tournaments.

In light of national and ongoing Covid-19 concerns, GA chairman Andrew Newbold reluctantly confirms the scheduled Australian Junior Championships in April, both for girls and boys, has been cancelled. In addition, the subsequent girls’ and boys’ Australian Junior Interstate Series – also scheduled for South Australia and the ACT, respectively – has also been cancelled. The Australian Interstate Series, scheduled for Sydney in May, has also been cancelled.

“These decisions are not taken lightly,” Newbold said. “But regrettably, the national competitions will not run in 2020, which I’m sure is a tough pill to swallow for all those who looked forward to competing in such time-honoured events.

“GA protocols insist that all events involving crowds or large-scale interstate travel be strictly reviewed given the current health issues we’re confronting as a community. "As such, and using the latest government advice and guidelines, Golf Australia was left no choice but to take these sad actions. “Naturally, our priority will always remain the safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders in the sport and we’ll continue to make decisions based on that mantra in conjunction with our partners in the Australian golf industry.”

Decisions about exemptions into respective Australian Opens for national junior champions will be made at a later date, Newbold said.

For further information from the Federal Government on Covid-19, the Coronavirus Health Information Line operates 24 hours a day on 1800 020 080.