We have learnt this morning that as a club we are classed as being in tier 2. This is somewhat restrictive from a bar and catering perspective and we await clarification from our governing body as to what we can offer our members.
It will definitely be a take away offering, because you cannot meet with anyone from outside your household or bubble in an indoor setting. However at present we are unsure if we can sell takeaway alcohol. I will update you as soon as I know.
From a course opening perspective, our members can play in fourballs from Wednesday morning, 2nd December. Duncan and the team have been hard at work throughout the lockdown ensuring the course is in great winter condition for our return.
We expect the appetite for golf to be greater than ever and therefore require all members to follow our back to golf rules which will hopefully ensure that all of our members can gain access to the course. The rules will be subject to change based on course usage and will be reviewed following our first weekend back.
Please find our re-opening plan / back to golf rules below:
1. For the first 2 weeks of re-opening, the course is strictly members only, no members guests, no green fees, no reciprocal play, no exceptions.
2. For the first 2 weeks of re-opening, 7 day members should only play once at a weekend, either Saturday or Sunday. EXCEPTION: if a time is available on the same day as play you can book this time even if you have already played or booked on the alternate weekend day.
3. Tee Bookings open at 20:00 tomorrow evening (Friday) and as we allowed previously, members can book 7 days and 4 hours in advance.
4. To avoid online congestion at 20:00, I will continue to pre-book our swindles tee times in advance, but only upto a maximum of 3 tee times per group, starting from Wednesday morning.
5. All play will be from the tee mats, this will help with the speed of play and also assist in the recovery and ongoing strength of our grass tees, which we hope to re-open on the 1st March.
6. Winter League will resume on Sunday 13th December, however we will be operating a completely different booking system. As of Wednesday morning, there will be a sign-up sheet on the board, members can sign up (in person) in 4 balls (2 x teams) but tee times will be drawn mostly at random within these time zones. 07:50 to 09:15 / 09:15 to 10:30 / 10:30 to 11:45.
Because of slow play, this enables us to put fasters groups out first.
PLEASE NOTE: if you are playing in Winter league, you cannot pre-book for golf on Saturday the 12th.
7. Friday Stablefords and Monthly stablefords will resume as of 11th December, played from tee mats, therefore using the Yellow Course / Slope and Handicap.
8. Our COVID RULES & Winter Rules on the course still apply:
CLUBHOUSE
– Do not visit the club if you feel unwell
– Do not enter the clubhouse if you have travelled from a tier 3 area.
– The pro shop and toilets will be open from 07:30
– Wear a face mask at all times when inside the clubhouse
– Utilise the hand sanitiser provided
– Adhere to the one-way systems
– The changing rooms are open but the showers remain closed
COURSE:
– Maintain social distancing, especially on and around the tee mat area
– Do not touch the flag / course furniture
– Please buy and use the rakes available in the pro shop
– Players may mark and replace a ball inside any bunker upto 6″ but not nearer the hole.
– A plugged ball may be marked, cleaned and dropped within one club length not nearer the hole
– Preferred lies are in use on any closely mown area.
– The use of buggies is strictly for blue badge holders or for those authorised by the club and a decision is made on them being allowed onto the course on a daily basis.
– The practice areas are open, please use the sanitiser spray or similar before touching the coin mechanism.
Please adhere to our temporary rules, which we feel are necessary in order to guarantee all of our members can gain access to the course and enjoy playing in a safe and controlled environment.
Bedford, Bedfordshire
