Date posted: 

Dear Niall,

As you are aware we have adhered to the Government's advice and public health measures on the reopening of the Club in a manner that is safe for members and staff. Thank you to all who have complied with the 5km radius rule; we can now look forward to welcoming those members who live between 5k and 20k back to the club on Monday the 8th of June.

Last week we have enjoyed glorious weather which has led to very full timesheets. Once again we would like to thank all members for respecting the booking process which ensures all get the opportunity to play. Last week we averaged 150+ golfers each and every day, these are record numbers for our golf club.

The GUI/ILGU yesterday updated their protocols and from the 8th of June are now planning to permit 4 balls at 14 minute intervals. Rounds will continue to be 9 holes only. As we are also expecting an increase in the number of players due to the easing of the travelling restrictions the current restrictions on booking will remain in place. Timesheets for the period Sunday 7th June to Saturday 13th June will open at 7pm on Wednesday 3rd June. Once again you are permitted to book 3 games in the 7 day period. If there are spaces available on any given day at 7.45am you may book further games for that day only. (If the government fail to give the go ahead to stage 2 later in the week please note we will need to revert to 3 balls on the 8th June. In this case the timesheets will be deleted and reopened for booking from scratch.)

Similar to the lines currently reserved for 70+ and full time workers we will be reserving some lines each day from Monday the 8th of June through to Saturday 13th for those living between 5k and 20k who have not already played any golf. Please note if these lines are not taken up by 7,45 am on the date of play all members may book into them. Under the GUI protocol Juniors who have attained their 18th birthday are classed as adults and may book onto a line as an adult.

Under the protocol the GUI are permitting closed competitions from the 8th of June. The mens and ladies committees have agreed that we will not be holding any competitions before the 18th June at the earliest and further details will be announced this day next week. It is our aim to to hold as many of the Majors and internal championships as possible and your committees are working hard to rearrange the diary to accommodate as much as possible.

Under the protocol the GUI are permitting members' guests from the 8th of June. Due to the heavy demands on the course the committee have decided that golfing guests will not be permitted at this time.

We are currently working on an online booking procedure for the practice ground and we would hope to be in a position to reopen this with restrictions in the coming days. A seperate note will issue detailing when and how booking will become available.

The pro shop will be reopening on Monday the 8th of June. Initially this will be for limited hours only and will operate a strict 2 person rule per PGA guidelines. The shop will fully open 7 days a week from the 29th June. Click and collect site can be found on the Club website under the Pro Shop tab if anybody needs essentials left out for collection in the meantime. Please email Leo for any queries on sales or custom fitting. Email is leohynesgolf@gmail.com

Finally we have been working with a company called Clubnet to develop a phone App which will accommodate electronic score card entry. You will be receiving a separate mail from the office detailing this. In addition to score card entry it will accommodate, tee time booking , links to the latest news and results section on the website, the ability to monitor live scoring in interclub matches (when they return) and many other features. Please watch out for the detailed mail from the office and download the App when you receive it.

Please continue to observe the following basic rules .
• The Club will be open to Members only and for 9 Hole casual golf only.
• Members who have been out of the country in the previous 14 days should not visit the Club.
• Members should not visit the Club if displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 or have been in contact with any person displaying symptoms of Covid-19 in the last 14 days.
• Members should not visit the Club if doing so puts them in contravention of government restrictions. Please note the 5km radius still applies until Monday the 8th of June.
• Juniors under 18 must play with an adult.
• Please arrive no more than 20 minutes ahead of your tee time.
• Please observe the social distancing rules when parking.
• Please change your shoes in the car park
• Please register before play.
• Only one group on the putting green at any one time
• Please do not proceed to the 1st tee more than 5 minutes before your booked time.
• Please do not tee off early.
• Please do not touch the pins , the lever system is in place.
• You may place your ball in the bunker , please smooth with your feet / club when exiting.
• Course staff always have the right-of-way on the course during casual golf
• The practice ground is closed except for lessons with our professional Leo Hynes.
• On completion of your round please proceed to your car and depart in a timely manner.
• The ladies and gents’ toilets in the locker rooms will be available but no entry will be granted to the locker rooms. Our staff will continue routine cleaning, sanitization and disinfection of all locations, especially all common and high traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces. The course toilet remains open. The code is C1903.
• Buggies, hire/pull trollies are allowed and must be booked in advance. Buggy surfaces will be wiped down by staff prior to use.

Captains Brendan and Diane