May 1st, 2020

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COVID-19 Golf Operation Status Updates in NY & Massachusets

Massachusetts: Update from Governor Baker's Administration - Golf Remains Closed Through May 18th

Mass Golf and the Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations (AMGO) have been and continue to work with government relations experts to not only better understand the current situation in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 era but also in how to best move forward on behalf of the golf community in the Commonwealth.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2020 the Governor extended the Non-Essential Business Closure to May 18, 2020. They have also created an Economic Advisory Board to help plan for a safe and responsible reopening. AMGO will continue to be the lead association as a resource to advocate to have golf recognized as a safe recreational activity under the appropriate restrictions and guidelines.

New York: Governor Cuomo Addresses Golf Carts In Press Briefing on Monday, April 26th: No Cart Usage

When he was asked directly by a reporter near the end of his daily update on Monday, April 26th if golf courses should be operating the service of golf carts for patrons, the answer provided was - no.

To view the clip of the Q&A exchange regarding the golf cart issue as answered by Governor Cuomo and his Secretary, Melissa DeRosa, his Executive Secretary we have updated our HERO banner on the website with an active link. Please note as well, the NENY PGA Section received a verbal positioning response via from the ESD Regional Director of the Capital District Area that this also extends and applies to any privately-owned golf carts as well to be operated at a facility.

The NENY PGA Section leadership continues to encourage all golf course business operations to continue to operate responsibily and withhin the current ESD Guidelines which as of now is in effect until May 15th coinciding with the ON PAUSE Order for NY State. The Section will continue to monitor and communicate any changes to those ESD Guidelines pertaining to golf operations.

CLICK HERE to view the ESD Guidance Page

Members on the Move

Congratulations to Erik Smith, PGA who recently accepted the Head Professional at Winding Brook Country Club. Erik is a long-time NENY PGA member and previously worked at Northway Golf Center and prior to that as the Head Professional at Normanside Country Club. Erik jumped right in and began work this week, so congratulations Erik! erikt00@yahoo.com

Next Scheduled:
Wednesday, May 6th
10am-11am

Topic Updates:

• Back2Golf - Allied Golf Assoc. Re-emergence for Golf Plan/Advocacy
• NENY PGA New Partnership Announcement - BioProtect (Revolutionary Antimicrobial Formula) - Special Pricing for NENY PGA Facilities - clubhouses and golf cart fleets!
• NENY PGA Event/Schedule Updates
  NENY PGA Tournament Committee - Professional Events
  NENY Player Development Committee - Junior Events

NENY PGA Section will send out email invitations for our 7th 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 will provide 1 MSR Credit 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.

Back2Golf - Allied National Golf Assoc. Plan Announce

As states across the nation and communities begin to re-open, we all know that golf can offer an outdoor recreational experience that provides many health and wellness benefits. The Allied Golf Organizations,with the PGA of America in the forefront in alignment with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), have developed a comprehensive plan that allows golf to be played responsibly while observing recommended social distancing guidelines.

Along with the plan is a very comprehensive playbook that covers all areas of a golf facility operation. Please know that these aren't hard and fast and all depends on the status of your community in regards to golf operations. This plan is based on the operational underpinnings in “Guidelines Opening Up America Again” published by the White House and the CDC. It includes a specific, three-phased approach to golf that aligns with the broader plan to re-open the economy. Each phase includes operational protocols when it comes to social distancing, the sanitation of physical facilities and the health of you and your staff.

Reminder - PGA Member Dues & Procedure

As a simple reminder, PGA Member Dues billing will move forward as regularly scheduled and will start now in the first of the month of May. But, PGA Professionals have two payment options:

1.Can pay full dues amount any time through October 31, 2020, without penalty or late fee
or
2. Can pay in two installments:
*Pay Section amount only any time through October 31, 2020, without penalty or late fee.
* Pay National, Life, Liability and MAP any time through October 31, 2020, without penalty or late fee.

Provided all dues components are paid by October 31, 2020, those unable to pay the full dues amount by October 31, 2020, would be moved to nonactive status, and can still pay the full dues by June 30, 2021, to “re-establish” Membership (per the Bylaws), and the PGA of America would waive the late and reestablish fee.

If not able to re-establish by June 30, 2021, individuals would need to reinstate their Membership. If the one-time reinstatement option has been previously used, approval has already been granted for a second reinstatement for those affected by COVID-19.

NENY PGA Special Award Member Spotlight

Up this week in our Special Award Member Spotlight are
twp professionals both from Normanside Country Club!

We're just over half way through our Spotlight series so continue to stay tuned.

Patriot Golf Day Postponed
Due to the current circumstances across our nation, PGA HOPE and Folds of Honor have moved Patriot Golf Day to Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-7, 2020. Listen to Lt Col Rooney's message of hope by clicking here.

New KPMG Women's PGA Championship Dates Announced
The PGA of America announced today that the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship has been rescheduled for October 6-11 at Aronimink Golf Club, provided it is safe and responsible to do so at that time.

Did You Know?

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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