A Message from your MGA President

 

The MGA Board members hope you and your family have been staying safe and healthy during these uncertain times. I apologize for the length of this E-mail but such is life in the COVID-19 era.

 

We encourage you to sign up for The MGA Anti-Social (AS) Two-Man Stableford! The date for the MGA AS will be Saturday May 30th.  The format will be a Two-man Best Ball Stableford scoring format for 18 holes (with handicap).

 

The MGA Board has been working very closely with the DVCC Golf Staff to plan this so we appreciate your patience.  Balancing the current COVID-19 rules in place for the State of Virginia and the specific ClubCorp guidelines have presented us with unique challenges but we are looking forward to getting the 2020 season started! We will have prize money for both the Senior Division (Green and White tees) and the Blue Tee Division. Prize winnings will be added to your account in the form of Credit Book (we will have more detailed information regarding this in future correspondence).

 

A few items of note. We have a limited number of carts for the event (about 60).  The sign up will be limited to 90 players (for now) but the more volunteers we have to walk the more participants we can allow and increase that 90 player cap. Sign up will be done through Golf Genius and you can request your own foursome by notifying the Golf Shop. Walking options are as follows:

 

  1. Walk and carry your bag (Guarantees you a spot in the tournament)
  2. Walk with hand cart (limited availability but you can bring your own) (Guarantees you a spot in the tournament)

 

  1. Walk and Share System – Under this system we will allow each team to put both bags on one cart, however one player must drive and the other walk. You can switch off at 9 holes (driver/walker) if you like, but please bring cleaning supplies to wipe the cart down for your own safety.  (DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU A SPOT BUT IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED)

 

If you do the math, 60 carts with individual players riding in each cart really limits the participation. With more walkers we can expand the field dramatically to possibly as high as 120 players or even more participants the more walkers we get!

 

 

 

We will be having refreshments at certain designated areas throughout the course with a box lunch provided as well. All of these precautions are to make sure we are allowing the safest conditions possible for all and to comply with social gathering restrictions. In addition, several other precautionary steps will be undertaken:

 

  1. We will not be able to do a shotgun start, we must leverage tee-times to make sure the social distancing protocols are being followed. Each two-man team will be paired up with another team to create your foursome. The Pro Shop will determine your tee-time and no special time requests will be granted. However, (as stated earlier) you can request your own foursome during sign up.
  2. All parts of the practice facility will be closed.  We are concerned the practice facility area will become a gathering place and be in violation of the Virginia rules concerning COVID-19 social distancing.  This will include the chipping areas and the practice green. Get the plastic practice balls out in your backyard and warm up before your tee time at home, LOL!
  3. No large gatherings will be allowed before, during, or after the event.  So this means no large food buffets or drinks after the tournament is completed.  Box lunches will be provided at a designated station during the round.  Beverages and drinks will also be available at certain stations on the course.  
  4. IMPORTANT – when your round is complete we do not want anyone hanging around awaiting the results. The Golf Genius App will allow you to follow the scores and your progress in the tournament. When your round is complete please head home and leave the facility ASAP!

 

The MGA Board and the DVCC Golf Staff understand that one of the main reasons to have tournaments is to get the membership together while enjoying social interaction.  Unfortunately, encouraging a true public gathering/tournament is not possible yet.  But with a few reasonable concessions, the MGA members will be able to have a competitive event while maintaining the current State of Virginia guidance restrictions.

 

SIGN UP FAST AS PARTICIPATION WILL NO DOUBT BE LARGE AND PLEASE

TRY TO GET YOUR WALKING EXERCISE IN!

 

Many thanks and stay Healthy!

 

Bob Garrigan on behalf of the MGA Board