After 50 days of talking about what’s closed, we are finally shifting to conversations about what’s the next thing to open just a little more. It’s a welcome shift in attitude and we are all really hoping to make progress in a safe and sane manner. Those of you in Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana were joined last week by professionals in Washington in welcoming golfers again to their facilities. It’s nice to have everyone open and operating in a manner to keep staff and golfers safe. With the shift in focus, this article will take a very positive tone that events will happen and we will compete again. That being said, we will not lose sight of the need to follow guidelines and operate responsibly. We are counting on all of you and the guests you bring to pro-am’s, despite any personal views they may have, to also follow the guidelines established for our events. Remember, do this right and it’s temporary!
Our tournament schedules have been in a state of flux and are beginning to form into an executable plan. Please read your chapter and section emails for the latest updates. As our states publish new guidance, you’ll see events return. I’d like to say we’ll give you two weeks notice, but if we are allowed to play and your leaders feel it’s appropriate, we’ll play. As you monitor the official guidance in your state, you can judge what our operations will look like in the near future. Prepare accordingly.
By now you know the Section schedule has changed dramatically. The Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational is now June 29-30 and that we will contest the Oregon Open Invitational at Arrowhead GC on July 14-15. Still on its original schedule, the Northwest Open Invitational Pro-Am should also be on your radar as we support the Folds of Honor at Wine Valley GC on August 15-16.
Click here for information on the pro-am and bring a team!
Entries have not been published but we still have the Hawaii Pro-Am on the schedule for January 14-21, 2021 at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa. Let’s look forward to conditions that make that event the popular escape it’s been for 45 years.
To help you capitalize on this time and improve your knowledge and skills, we continue our “Stay Involved” webinars with seven more already scheduled. These have been well received and we continue to build out a wide variety of topics.
Check out the full schedule here
Don’t forget to regularly visit our COVID-19 resource page. We stay on top the ever-changing regulatory environment to help you navigate all the changes. If you see something out of date, please let me know so I can keep us current. Staying on top of five states is fun! The latest addition to this page are the results of our COVID-19 Survey. We’ve also added posters from the Back2Golf program to help you share the message at your facility.
Sign in with your ForeTees member login to view
Phase II of the Golf Emergency Relief Fund is coming soon thanks to the efforts of the PGA of America to solicit industry support and provide matching funds for the program. Look for news from the PGA of America when Phase II applications become available.
Click here for information on the Golf Emergency Relief Fund application.
Your Chapter staff continues preparations for the resumption of play. Yes, it’s coming. Please reach out to them if you have questions or concerns. The team in the Section office continues to work remotely and has been working reduced hours since late April to manage your funds effectively. Please visit the Section website for a list of staff emails. We appreciate your understanding that our limited hours may delay the response times you are accustomed to seeing. We are here for you; it just may take a day to reply.
Stay safe and I hope to see you soon,
Jeff Ellison, PGA