Wearside Golf Club
Practise Area,
and the Academy Course Will open to members only on Monday 1st June 2020.
A few Pictures of the Course
England Golf UpdatevA letter from our CEO
27 May 2020
There’s been so many positive stories around the game of golf in the past two weeks that it’s hard to know where to begin.
With very few exceptions, the safety measures put in place for golf’s return have been embraced by golfers and golf clubs across England.
The ‘course closed’ signs have been replaced by news of full tee sheets.
We have witnessed a rise in membership rather than a drop off and last week we were delighted to bring you news of financial aid for clubs in the shape of The R&A’s Covid-19 Support Fund.
On a personal level, I’d almost forgotten how good it felt to be up with the lark and out on the golf course.
Although I was behind most of the golfers in England on this one, it was still a great feeling to be back out at Marlborough Golf Club last week for the first time in months.
Hats off to the greenkeepers for their work! The course was in great nick.
After being checked in by my lifelong pal and Head Pro Simon, I’m pleased to say that the new procedures in place to allow us all to ‘Play Safe, Stay Safe’ worked like clockwork.
Like many, I anticipated teething problems under the new guidelines. Yet the vast majority of golfers and clubs have seamlessly returned to playing and any problems have been quickly ironed out.
Clear guidelines have helped, but golfers and clubs alike have “stepped up”, taken responsibility and applied the unwritten rule of common sense to their actions.
We have been contacted by many happy golfers extolling the virtues of social rounds as well as zipping round their course in under three hours.
There have also been a great number of enquiries about when clubs may return to three and four ball play outside of household groups.
I empathise with this request and understand the point, sharing the frustrations of golfers and clubs.
Social distancing can still be achieved in fourball golf not to mention the freeing up of precious tee times, allowing clubs to welcome back guests and visitor green fee income.
But as we are all aware, the protection of public health must continue to be our key priority.
With no specific government rules for golf, the guidelines exist for outdoor recreation as a whole. Any change will be a change for everyone that we would then apply to golf.
Please rest assured we will continue to constructively and passionately promote a speedy, safe return to increased playing numbers as quickly as possible.
An additional pressure on golf clubs at the moment is a welcome one… creating space for new members.
It’s been wonderful to hear news of lapsed members returning to the game or newcomers embracing the fact that golf is one of the healthiest and safest sports around.
On average, each club we have spoken to has recruited a minimum of 15 new members over the first two weeks of golf’s return.
It’s great news that many core values of golf club membership - camaraderie, freedom to play and a sense of belonging - once again have new meaning!
Looking to maximise this new membership momentum, we will soon be reaching out to all clubs with our national membership growth campaign which will be adaptable to suit clubs of all sizes.
We will also be communicating criteria for clubs to apply for our Covid-19 Support Fund, so please keep an eye out for further details over the coming weeks.
In among the good and positive feelings, I also want to convey our understanding of the financial strain on golf clubs that have re-opened.
You will have heard me speak before of the increased expenditure without many income streams for example bar and restaurant, function fees and retail. In many cases, these are secondary to subscription income, but just as essential to balancing the books.
With this in mind, I again ask that we keep the faith. This time, of course, the light we head towards is brighter, but still a little way off.
Golf as a sport is shining and, in no small way, that's thanks to you!
And, of course, to all golfers who enjoy “a good walk spoiled” I’d say lap up the sunshine and a continued return to playing the game we love.
Jeremy Tomlinson
Chief Executive, England Golf
Booking System - UPDATE
Effective from Monday 1st June
Starting Monday 1st June we are going to trial 18 holes without a booking system. This will obviously still have to follow the social distancing rules and the number of players per group (2)
This is in light of the trend that we have seen for midweek bookings to date.
It is however, difficult to try and predict busy times so we are asking members to be patient. As always this will be under close monitoring and may result in reverting back to a 9 hole booking system as previous if it is unsuccessful.
The Academy course and the practice area will also be open to members from Monday 1st June, again social distancing must be adhered to at all times
Supplementary Scores
The club will now accept supplementary scores, especially to help new members or members whose handicaps have become inactive.
Play from the yellow discs If playing 9 holes then 6 cards will need to be submitted.
If you are a new member and have had a handicap from a previous club please let myself or the office know so we can access your previous CDH number.
There is no need to have your card signed by your playing partner but you can write their name on the card yourself. Post your cards in the competition box and the competition secretary will enter the score.
K Farrer
Handicap Secretary
White Tee's
Members are advised they MUST NOT tee off the white tees at any time and only use the yellow discs for gentlemen, red discs for ladies and blue for juniors.
BOOKINGS
WEARSIDE GOLF CLUB
how to book / club info
HOW TO BOOK.
IF YOU ARE RINGING IN ON Monday to Friday contact the office via telephone between 9.00am and 4.00pm
IF YOU ARE RING IN ON Saturday OR Sunday contact the Pro Shop
Booking sheets for 3 days ahead is designed to have a fair distribution of times to all members.
Can we respectfully remind members that at present we are only playing 9 holes this will afford the greenstaff an opportunity to try and catch up on their work without hindrance -please give way to the greenstaff where possible this situation should be well received over the next few days.
As the response from members has been as dignified and considerate as expected we will trial the return of
18 hole golf for Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th May. However, to comply with England Golf/Government guidelines 2 BALLS ONLY and booking through the office remains compulsory until we are advised otherwise.
On Friday 15th May …starting sheets will be available for Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th bookings
We have had a couple of requests to extend the hours of play - this will be considered if and when it is safe to do so.
The practice facilities will not reopen until we receive permission from England Golf.
Please note at the moment there are no visitors and no hire buggies (members ride on buggies only)
As the clubhouse and locker rooms will not always be open PLEASE ARRANGE TO COLLECT YOUR CLUBS FROM THE LOCKER ROOM ASAP AND KEEP THEM AT HOME.
May 12, 2020
MEMBERS BULLETIN - PLAY SAFE AND STAY SAFE
UNTIL RESTRICTIONS ARE EASED FURTHER - THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO (members only – no guests allowed)
• Social golf 9 HOLES ONLY FROM 1ST AND 10TH at present, there will be no competitive golf and all live competition start sheets in May and June are void.
• Play by booking a time slot via the club office 0191 5342518 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
• Only 1 telephone call can book a maximum of 2 named players with a maximum of 3 days in advance.
• Tee opens 7.00am for first tee off and 7.00pm for last tee time every day .
• Arrive at the course no more than 20 minutes prior to reserved tee time.
• Observe social distancing ALWAYS and do not mingle. Maintain two-metre exclusion zone.
• Arrange golf attire and change footwear at your car
• Groups restricted to 2 players maximum, at 10 minute intervals
• Arrive at the 1st tee no more than 5 minutes prior to the reserved tee time.
• Clubhouse access is limited to locker rooms and toilets only.
• Post-round players must return straight to their cars.
• Member’s buggies only until further notice
• Members clubs and trolley need to be taken home with you after your round of golf.
ON THE COURSE
• All practice areas ARE CLOSED i.e academy course, practice area and nets
• Do not use Ball Washers.
• Do not use bins
• Flagsticks to remain in the hole and must not be touched
• Putting green can only be used within your 10 minutes allotted tee time
• Bunker rakes have been removed, players to smooth sand with feet or club prior and after shot.
• Once a hole is completed, the group in front must have exited the tee box before players can progress to the next hole.
• Do not double back to play again if a ball is lost, unplayable, or in a penalty area
• Players must not pick another player’s equipment or golf ball.
• Do not approach staff on the course.
