Read the NENY PGA E-News March 27th Update
NENY PGA


March 27th, 2020

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*NENY PGA Leadership Messaging - Golf Operations*

Please take note that as of the time of this writing (Friday 3/27) the NENY PGA Section leadership continues to seek to provide as much relevant information and communication as possible to our members. The COVID-19 pandemic and the decision on where the golf industry and operation of green grass facilities stands comes down to a state, regional, local decision and continues to be ever-evolving and varies widely. Seeing many of the recent communications in the last few days from Allied Golf Associations in New York relaying the "confirmation of approval of golf in NYS", the NENY PGA Section understanding is similar. It seems from all of our inquiries there will be no specific exemption granted per se (unlike other states), but the guidance being issued to any golf course at this time is to follow what the State of NY is allowing and recommending per their own NYS Parks Dept. under its "golfing" section.

Here is the link with that information: https://parks.ny.gov/covid19/

This ultimately means that each facility and governing boards/leaders must make the personal decision for their own facility. We highly caution, if that decision is made to proceed with operations that you are cautioned to do so with very specific restrictions to follow per the CDC guidelines and helpful "Park and Play" policies that can be found HERE.

We will continue to update you as any other changes or new information is made available. The NENY PGA cannot provide any legal advice and these facility decisions should be first and foremost based on the safety of your staff, their families, and your respective members. We must all continue to do our part during this pandemic.


Massachusetts Members Notice - Executive State Orders ARE NO GOLF

The state of Massachusetts is completely opposite of NY and for our Section members and facilities in Berkshire County, Mass you fall under the Governor’s Executive Orders that clearly calls out no golf operations:

  • Golf courses and facilities are not on the essential services list and must shut down operations. This includes golf operations staff as well as golfers not being allowed to play golf.
  • The Mass Allied Golf Association continues to be an excellent resource specific to the state and golf. Click HERE


    Golf Course Maintenance Reminder - Massachusetts & New York States

NY State: As previously confirmed, maintenance of golf courses is covered by the current Executive Order in the recent NYS TurfgrassAssociation (Under Horticulture in the Agriculture subject).

Massachusetts: Golf courses and facilities wishing to continue maintenance during the shutdown period must contact their local Health Department and/or local Government Officials for approvals. A listing of contacts for local health departments can be found through the link below. Directory of Local Health Departments

Spring Meeting

Members on the Move

We're pleased to welcome Chad Griffin back to the NENY PGA Section. Chad is a newly registered Associate in the PGA PGM Program and will be working as a Teaching Professional with AndersMattsonGolf as well as an Assistant Professional at Saratoga Spa Golf Course. Chad is no stranger to golf or the Section and was in the program and worked as an Assistant Professional years ago at Saratoga National GC before getting out of the business but has returned to his passion and started working last season. Welcome Chad! griff12866@gmail.com

PGA Employment Change Forms
Please don't forget to peform your change of employment as it is important for the Section and the PGA of America to have accurate information. You can perform all changes online at PGA.org profile or sim
ply contact a section staff member for assistance.

NENY Town Hall

Next Scheduled **
NENY PGA Section Coronavirus (COVID-19) Town Hall Video Conferences **

Thursday, April 2nd - Guidance For NENY PGA Professionals as Employees & Employers
10am-11am

Mark Your CalendarPresentation by: Michael Zahler, Senior Associate of Hodgson Russ LLP
Mr. Zahler will give an overview of the topics and resources including *Filing for Unemployment; Layoffs, FMLA, Families First Corona Act; etc. as well as cover Employer related issues do's and dont's.

Presentation by: John Ogel, Atlas Wealth Management Group
Atlas is the Investment Management Firm used by the NENY PGA Section and Mr. Ogel will provide a brief overview of the market and larger picture of COVID-19 potential impact and trends.

NENY PGA Section will send out email invitations for the 2nd Town Hall Video Conference directly to our members. You are encouraged to log in via the link provided so that we can track our members who attend the webinar. We believe we may be able to provide members with MSR Credits for the Webinars but the only method to do this is to "know and track" if a member uses the Google Meet link provided. Calling in via telephone will not allow for MSR Credit.
REMINDERS:

*Google Hangouts Meet does require a Google/G-mail account. Simply set one up if you don't have one. The video conference can be done via a computer or other hand held device (phone, tablet, IPAD, etc.) but needs a camera. If you are using a hand held device, you are asked to download the "Hangouts Meet" App - as the video conferencing works far better in the app.

*PLEASE be sure to mute your microphone or speaker (if on a phone) as it will be a necessity with a large group to have ZERO background noise

*Please contact any staff member for assistance if you need it to get connected to with the Hangout Meets resource

WHS

World Handicap Training ONLINE Offering

To begin viewing the WHS Online Training Seminar, click on the Part 1 video link below.

The seminar consists of four total parts, and after completing each section, a link to the next video will become available. Each section will open in its own window. When finished viewing a section, close the window and you will return to this screen.

After completing Part 4, you will then be provided a link to a 20-question quiz. Additional details will be provided at the beginning of Part 1. All facilities must pass the certification prior to July 1.

WHS Online Training

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Stay Current with These Resources

MIssed a Town Hall - Take some time to catch up here.

NENY PGA Section Membership COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE

In addition to the NENY PGA Section Town Hall Video Conference (that will be done weekly on Monday's) with varying topics and presentations the NENY PGA Section staff has loaded a private-professional only webpage for all NENY PGA Members & Associates to view. Please be sure to check it out and it will be updated as new information and resources become available. If there is something additional you feel would be helpful, please contact a NENY PGA team staff member and we will be happy to update.

Links include
* Facility opeations survey results and best practices
* Economic and finacial resource links
* Allied Golf Association links relevant to your business
* NENY PGA Hangouts Meet video conference recordings

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NENY PGA - Operation 36 Webinar Cancelled

Due to lack of interest, the Webinar that was scheduled for Monday, March 30th has been cancelled.

Drive, Chip & Putt Qualifying Cancelled for 2020 & National Finals Rescheduled


After thoughtful decision and guidance the decision to cancel the DCP Qualifiers this season as well as reschedule the 2020 National Finals to next April 4, 2021 has been released today.

Click HERE for Detailed Announcement

NENY PGA Section Staff Continues to Work Remotely:

Tracie Warner, Executive Director, twarner@pgahq.com, Cell: 518-470-7033

Doug Evans, Tournament Director/Asst. ED, devans@pgahq.com; Cell 518-248-1973

Christian Torres, Director of Player Development, ctorres@pgahq.com, 518-791-6548