Level Three Lockdown measures at NWGC

By now we are all aware that as of midnight tonight, Donegal will be entering level three lock down. This will have an immediate impact at the club with the closure of the bar area which had only reopened on Wednesday.

Travel to the club should be restricted to players from Donegal only as the new measures advise against travel in and out of the county.

We would also like to appeal to members, and visitors to continue to practice safe social distancing in other areas of the clubs with masks to be worn in the shop and no more than two at a time in there.

As always booking is essential and guests on the time sheet must report to the shop.

We have made fantastic strides as a club in the past few months and this could not have happened without our members and visitors. Hopefully if we all pull together on this we will be back to "normal" in three weeks.

Please also find updated protocols from the ILGU and GUI regarding the current situation below:

STATEMENT FROM THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION AND GOLFING UNION OF IRELAND IN RELATION TO GOLF IN COUNTY DONEGAL UNDER LEVEL 3

25th SEPTEMBER 2020

Following the Irish Government’s announcement in relation to increased restrictions due to COVID-19, golf clubs and golfers located in County Donegal must adhere to the following:

Golfers residing within County Donegal must not travel outside their county of residence to play golf

Golfers residing outside County Donegal must not travel to the county to play golf

All-Ireland GUI Inter-Club matches and Championships are covered by separate guidance which will be issued by GUI to clubs and participants involved.

Clubs may continue activities which are qualifying for handicapping purposes but all participants must abide by the domestic travel restrictions at Level 3 (see first two points above).

Members, their guests and staff with colds or any symptoms of COVID-19 must stay away from the golf course/clubhouse

Physical distancing rules are observed by all members and their guests at all times in the car park, clubhouse and on the course.

Personnel are on hand to monitor adherence with physical distancing rules and the rules for golfers set out in this document.

Tee times are booked in advance online or over the telephone. Clubs must ensure that players names (including members’ guests) are recorded on timesheets and timesheets must be kept for a period of at least 6 weeks to assist with contact tracing should the need arise.

Daily timesheets are restricted to a minimum of 8, 9 or 10 minute intervals. Clubs may only choose one interval for each day. If clubs choose 8+ minute intervals, play is restricted to 2 golfers per start time. If clubs choose 9+ minutes, up to 3 golfers may play per start time. If clubs choose 10+ minutes, up to 4 golfers may play per start time.

Those aged 70 years and over and the medically vulnerable should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home. Specific Government guidance will be provided.

Training: Outdoors – non-contact training only in pods of up to 15. Indoors – individual training only.

All cafes and restaurants, including bars, should only offer takeaway or delivery, or outdoor dining/service (maximum 15 people with strict physical distancing – please consult www.gov.ie for details).

Clubhouse access should be confined to use of toilet facilities (provided they can be kept clean) and initial retrieval of golf equipment from lockers. If toilet facilities are open, clubs should adopt a one-in, one-out approach.

There are no social gatherings, of any size, at the facility.

Players are instructed not to touch the flag or flagstick.

Rakes are removed from the course. Players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club. (See Appendix 2 as previously published for measures which can be taken in qualifying situations)

Hire trolleys (electric and pull trolleys) must be sanitised prior to each use.

Caddies are not permitted (exception: where the group of golfers and the caddies are from the same household).

Golf Ireland will issue guidance early next week in relation to Levels 1-3 and how each one impacts on clubs and golfers alike.