On behalf of the Board we wish you and your families the very best of health at this time and assure all Members our best efforts to maintain your Club as a safe haven during these challenging times. We are so pleased to witness the many examples of the support Members are providing each other. Collectively we need to demonstrate that the health and safety of our Members and Staff is our primary objective.
It is times like this when society is challenged, the role of “Our Club” potentially becomes even more important in our Members’ daily lives.
Every day our dedicated management review the extraordinary amount of advice flowing from Government Departments, health and safety consultant EPAR, Clubs NSW, our insurer, Golf Australia and Golf Management Australia. Management also maintain dialogue with other golf clubs around the country. In addition, the Board is cognisant of the Prime Minister’s advice – that the changes we make now, we need to be prepared to make for the next six months.
It is also important to recognise that the game of golf, four people walking outdoors, appears to be a very appropriate activity in this world we now live in. The fundamental keys to success are – good social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 metres from the other person and demonstrating excellent personal hygiene practices. We expect every Member to follow these guiding principles.
We are all subject to a constantly evolving situation that may require further change. For now, the Board, with the assistance of management have resolved to pursue the following course of action effective, Sunday 22 March until further notice:
- The golf course will continue to operate seven days a week, but with all golf from the 1st tee only. The temporary removal of two tee starts will reduce the number of Members in one place at one time by about 50%, whilst also helping the course staff to keep the golf course in good condition, particularly as we may have lower numbers of staff available to work in the coming weeks and months.
- On the busy days, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as public holidays, the entire Club is strictly a Member only area. If you are not a Member, you cannot come to the Club on these days, this includes any family of any Member.
- On the quiet days, Monday, Tuesday afternoon and Thursday, a Member may invite up to three guests to play golf with them.
- Members bringing guests are required 48 hours prior to their booking to email their guests golflink details and confirm total compliance with the conditions requiring no international travel in the past 14 days, no contact with someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus and no existence of cold and flu like symptoms. For clarification, see the Member Guest Policy on the website.
- The teaching facility will continue to operate seven days a week, with Members only on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please support our two talented Teaching Professionals and schedule a lesson.
- The Clubhouse will remain open, but in a limited capacity. The revised Bar Menu and takeaway will be the only food items available. Members are encouraged to sit outside in small groups and limit the time they spend in the Clubhouse. We will not be accepting table reservations.
- The Members’ Bar area will move to table service only.
- Competition presentations will cease.
- Motorised golf carts will continue to be available for hire, but only one person can hire and use a motorised golf cart at one time. We will endeavour to provide Members who require a cart to play golf with a cart. To assist this, the current pricing policy will continue as is.
- We encourage all Members able to walk our course to take the opportunity to do so.
- All Member events such as the HB Whitham Trophy, Sunday Ladies Visitor Day and other function bookings have been postponed until further notice, noting that only Members can play golf in the Twilight Nine and Dine competition this Friday 27 March, understanding there will be no food post golf.
- As previously advised, the entire Club is now cashless and Member accounts or cards are required; Members must bring their own sun cream and bring their own water to the Club as all water bubblers have been turned off; staff are not permitted to fill Member water bottles; cloth towels are not to be used for hand or face washing, the paper towels are to be used; we recommend that flagsticks are left in at all times; Members are recommended to take ownership of one green sand bucket and keep it with your clubs and or empty it and leave it in your car when not playing.
- Our staff have amended a range of internal processes including longer more frequent hand washing and other hygiene measures, whilst introducing regular sanitising of communal spaces and surfaces ranging from door handles to golf cart steering wheels. We are also amending a range of other processes including rostering and some staff may be redeployed into different roles.
- The Match Committee will be meeting soon to consider the new local rule options offered yesterday by the R&A and we will update you on this shortly.
- The General Manager has the authority to amend the aforementioned course of action as he thinks is in the best interests of the Club, and the health and safety of our Members and employees, prior to the convening of a meeting of the Board.
All Members please ensure that anyone who has travelled to any overseas country in the past 14 days does not come to the Club until 14 days after they have returned to Australia.
In addition, a Member or guest who has been in direct or close contact with someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus, self-quarantine for 14 days prior to visiting the Club. A Member or guest who has cold and flu like symptoms, including tightness in the chest, body aches/pains, sore throat, cough, runny nose, and/or fever, rest at home and only visit the Club when fully recovered from these symptoms and feeling better.
Whilst we expect that all Members will follow these requirements, note that management will politely ask you and or your guest to leave the Club if this is not followed.
Incident Reporting
Please ensure that if a Member or guest or staff member tests positive to COVID-19, you inform the Club as soon as possible by contacting the General Manager Andrew Kirkman or Assistant Manager David Scott immediately on 9669 1311 or by email to gm@thelakesgolfclub.com.au .
Before returning to the Club you will need to provide a Doctors Certificate stating that you are not carrying COVID-19. If you are unsure whether you are fit to visit The Lakes feel welcome to contact the General Manager.
Good Hygiene
As previously communicated, our dedicated team of staff remain vigilant and are fully aware of the requirement to maintain best practice hygiene. We ask that Members also follow these hygiene expectations. Please avoid close personal contact with each other whilst at the Club, this includes not shaking hands with fellow members and staff and keeping at least 1.5 metres from other persons. We also ask that Members take proper care to correctly dispose of paper hand towels when using the Club’s facilities.
Thank you
Feel welcome to contact the General Manager Andrew Kirkman at gm@thelakesgolfclub.com.au or on 9669 1311 if you have a particular concern about the Club’s approach to this important situation.
The Board and management appreciate your understanding, support and anticipated acceptance. Thanks again for your supportive messages. Let’s continue to take care of each other and be considerate of our fellow Members and our talented team of staff.
Yours Sincerely,
John Boys
President
The Lakes Golf Club