It has been a terrific, albeit unique, year thus far within the Covid Precautionary Guidelines established by South Suburban.

As we continue our Men’s Club Tournament season, it is essential that you understand and be prepared to fully comply with all of South Suburban Social Distancing Protocols.  There will be South Suburban Golf Rangers on the course to monitor compliance, violations may result in you and/or your group being told to immediately leave the Course and this may impact your ability to participate in future tournaments.  Also, we are aware of some violations at other golf courses being called into Tri-County Health and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s office by both playing and nonplaying citizens, these calls have resulted in the agencies coming out and engaging directly with golfers.  We know everybody wants to have a good time, but we can’t stress enough that your compliance with the South Suburban Social Distancing Protocols is essential if we are to continue our 2020 Men’s Club Tournament schedule.

ARRIVAL

• It is imperative you do not come to the course if you have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in contact with anyone who is ill or may have symptoms of the virus, especially if someone has tested positive.  You will not be charged your tournament greens fees should you not be able to play due to a Covid-19 event, even if a last minute notification.
• While at the course, always practice good social distancing protocols and hygiene and stay at least 6 feet apart at all times during check-in, practicing, playing your round and departing the course. It is imperative to be diligent in following course protocols of not touching common surfaces, shaking hands, or gathering in groups at any time, in any areas.
• BRING A MASK, ALL PLAYERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK COVERING YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH WHILE UTILIZING THE PRO SHOP, GRILL AND RESTROOMS.
• To help all players adhere to social distancing protocols, we ask players arrive no earlier than 30/40 minutes before your tee-time.  We expect this will be sufficient time to accommodate some practice and preparation but limit the number of players gathered on the course prior to teeing off.
• Check-in: If you are walking, there is no need to enter the clubhouse for check-in; your credit card will be charged for your round based on Golf Genius sign-up.  If you are renting a cart, you will need to enter the clubhouse for your cart payment, please note credit card payments only – no cash. 
• Carts:  Carts can be rented in the Clubhouse the day of the tournament.  Carts are NO LONGER restricted to single riders.  Carts are released first-come, first-serve based on your tee time.  PLEASE NOTE, YOU CAN RENT A CART NO EARLIER THAN 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR TEE TIME, PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE EARLY WITH THE EXPECTATION OF RESEREVING A CART AS YOU’LL BE ASKED TO WAIT TILL YOUR RENTAL WINDOW OPENS. 
• Shortage of Carts:  Given there may not be enough carts for everybody, we sincerely ask members please be considerate of others when opting to rent a cart, we have several members with physical restrictions and a cart is required for them to play in the tournament.  Your consideration of these members is appreciated when making your decision about cart rental.  With that, If you require a cart to play and are unable to rent a cart thus are unable to play in the tournament, you will not be charged tournament greens fees.
• We will now have Skins Game which will follow previous years protocol. Please wear your mask and enter in the east side of the Clubhouse near the bathrooms to enroll in the Skin Wagers of $10.00. (You will see the Registration Table located there)

• Practice:  Practice facilities are open but strict adherence to social distancing protocols is required, please use the facilities to prepare yourself for the tournament only.  There is now putting and chipping practice but please follow protocols calling for no gatherings and all members must maintain 6 feet of separation while adhering to all posted signs.
• Range:  The range will be open, but space will be limited as there will be 10 feet of space between range stations.  Should you wish to hit a few balls prior to your round, please proceed to the range and use your credit card at the ball machines to purchase range balls, you do not have to enter the clubhouse to purchase balls. (Note:  If you are to enter the clubhouse to purchase balls, you will have to pay with a credit card anyway, so please if you don’t need to enter the clubhouse for another reason simply proceed to the range and purchase balls using the machine.)
• Last Minute Range Practice:  Given the limited range space, the course will reserve a section of the range for On-Deck Tee Times.  If your tee time is to be called within the next 10/15 minutes, “Next-up or On-Deck,” this section of the range will be made available to ensure you have the opportunity to hit some practice balls.  If your tee time is outside this window, please find another range space to practice.      
• Score Cards: the Starter will have your scorecard at the first tee.  Please coordinate who will be scoring each players card for your group prior to picking up cards in order to avoid having to physically exchange cards after picking them up.

PLAYING

• Always practice good social distancing at all times on the course.  All water coolers, ball cleaners, bunker rakes and towels have been removed from the course.  Please avoid touching common surfaces, shaking hands or gathering in groups at all times during and after your round.
• PACE OF PLAY: Last Tournament had some players over 5 hours…I’m sure we all agree this is unacceptable!!   Remember to take personal responsibility for keeping Pace of Play while you facilitate your group to “KEEP UP WITH GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU!”   As a motivation, we will be using the "Time Clock Punches". Time Clocks will be located near 10 tee/18 green for the turn and completion of round. There should be 2 punches of time on the back of every score card. Your start time is located at the top of the scorecard.  If any foursome is 15 minutes behind the group in front of them at the finish of the round and over 4 ½ hours; the entire group will be penalized 1 stroke each player.  You will also see Course Rangers on the course to assist with accountability.
• As noted, rangers will be on the course, their primary responsibility is the ensure social distancing protocols are maintained but they will also be notifying groups and the Board of slow play.      
• Cups: “Shallow cups” will be set only one inch below putting surface for easy removal of your ball without touching flagstick or side of the hole.  Do not remove flagstick at any time including when putting.  Please note, although the holes have been reconfigured, the Board has agreed that a “holed” ball must come to rest within the shallow hole, we recognize the “shallow hole” and “flagstick requirement”  may create some unique putting outcomes/bounces but to ensure consistency for all players your ball must come to rest inside of the “shallow hole” to be considered a holed ball.
• Bunkers:  As noted, all  bunker rakes have been removed from the course.  Therefore, we are implementing a Local Bunker Rule as follows:  when a player’s ball comes to rest in a sand bunker the player has the option to lift the ball, smooth (using your hand or foot) the sand underneath the ball and place the ball back in the same location it came to rest.  For clarity, the ball must be placed back in the same location it came to rest, for example a ball that has come to rest next to the lip of the bunker must be placed back in that location after the sand has been smoothed, a player cannot improve their lie beyond smoothing the sand underneath the ball.  As well, the intent of smoothing the sand is to make it level with the surrounding area, players are not to build an elevated mound in an attempt to tee-up their ball.  Lastly, the player may clean their ball when lifting to smooth the sand. 

Completed Play  

• Please do not exchange scorecards, rather verbally review your score and agree your score; then, only the scorer will sign the card.  By the scorer signing, you are acknowledging that you have agreed with the player that his score is accurate. 
• The golf course restaurant is now open with social distancing protocols in place should members wish to gather in small groups and catch-up; however, the Men’s Club will continue scoring and club administration offsite due to social distancing restrictions.  Please enjoy some food and a beverage or two but be aware no Men’s Club activities will take place in the restaurant till restrictions are relaxed to accommodate larger groups. 
• You will no longer email or text your scorecard but instead: After attesting your score, you should drop your scorecard off to the Registration Table located also in the East Side of the Clubhouse.  It will then be entered into Golf Genius.   
• You may check the results of the tournament on GG but we will also attempt to have the leaderboard displayed outside the restaurant. 

To conform with social distancing protocols, Board members will only be onsite to play their tournament rounds, no members will be available in the clubhouse.  Should you have questions before or after your rounds please reach out to:  David Condon, (720) 206-9284; Mike Keirns,  303-859-7494; or, Brent Diemer, 303-885-1355.

We appreciate your adherence to South Suburban Golf Course’s strict social distancing protocols, and understand these conditions may not be optimal but it is essential we conform to these protocols at all times so we can continue to host future tournaments.  We expect these protocols will change over time and will continually update you as our playing schedule progresses. 

Thank you, stay healthy and play well! 

Cheers,

Michael A. Keirns 

  If you have any questions or comments/feedback:  Contact Michael A. Keirns at mkeirns@regis.edu  or phone at 303-859-7494