Central Sevens Update
We appreciate this is a concerning time for you and your families with the ever-changing news on Coronavirus.
We all have a role to play to help stop the spread of Coronavirus and would ask everyone to take suitable precautions and act with common sense.
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Central Sevens Committee has today announced several key decisions relating to all of our League & Knockout golfing activities.
- The League will be suspended for the 2020 season
- The Knockout cup will be suspended for the 2020 season
- If we have enough time later in the year then we will look to put on some sort of knockout competition, details will be subject to any advice from govt.
- League fees will roll over for the 2021 season.
The advice from golf England for clubs.
Golf clubs and golfers must take appropriate steps to make sure they minimise the risk of infection from the COVID-19 virus.
In general, golf is a healthy pursuit played in the open air.
The risk to players, who are of good health and not classed in a vulnerable age category, is smaller than most other sports provided the expert advice is followed.
The vast majority of golfers can continue to play at your facility.
However, golf facilities must be mindful of the older age profile of their membership and understand that it is only prudent to implement sensible policies to limit the potential spread of any outbreak.
Indoor, social aspects of golf club life should be curtailed based on expert advice on social gatherings
Golfers suffering from or showing symptoms of the COVID-19 infection must self-isolate and stay away from their golf club. The length of time spent in self-isolation should be in line with government recommendations
Vulnerable groups or those with underlying health issues should heed government advice to self-isolate
Golf clubs should prominently display public health posters available via the NHS England website in all washrooms and at entrances to the course and clubhouse. These posters should act as a reminder to follow the 20-second handwashing techniques recommended by Public Health England.
- To minimise social contact in locker rooms golfers should be allowed to change shoes in the car park
- Golf club staff and volunteers – while taking precautions for their own health such as wearing protective gloves – should carry out regular cleaning of surfaces and door handles used by patrons. Where possible doors should be left ajar
- On the course, golfers should try to maintain a minimum distance of two metres between themselves and playing partners. Take care to adhere to this on teeing grounds and greens
- Golfers should consider playing in smaller groupings – i.e. two balls – to adhere with social distancing
- Clubs should consider increased spacing between tee times to prevent the bunching of groups
- Golfers should leave the flagstick in the hole at all times and clubs should remove rakes from the course to limit the risk of infection spreading from hand to hand.
- Buggies should be for solo use only and cleaned after every outing. Golfers should only use their own trolley and clean it after every round
- Common courtesies – handshakes and embraces in accordance with the accepted etiquette of the game – are to be avoided. Offering a thumbs up or some other form of friendly greeting should be used as an alternative
- Greenkeepers should remove pins from practice putting greens
- A review of how practice balls are dispensed and cleaned is also recommended
Considering this the Committee felt that they have no other option than to suspend the season.