Dear Members,

Strathfield Golf Course will re-open from 2pm this afternoon.

After reconsideration, the Office of Sport - NSW Government has advised that golf is considered an activity that can continue to be played in line with Public Health Orders relating to public gathering limits, social distancing, and the elderly. The statement from the Office of Sport - NSW Government is listed at the bottom of this email.

As a club we will need to ensure that we obey the Public Health orders relating to gathering limits and strict social distancing guidelines.

The course will be available from 2pm this afternoon for social play to members only. From tomorrow regular competitions will resume as scheduled, with revised booking sheets. All competitions and social play will be limited to members only until further notice.

In order to regulate the number of members congregating around the pro-shop areas there are now social play timesheets available on the website. For both competition and social play, please book a time on the booking sheets and do not just turn up at the club. We would also ask members that use the course leave the club immediately after the completion of your round.

Going forward future booking sheets are currently closed so that we can reconfigure tee times in order to comply with the new Public Health Orders requiring us to limit each tee time to two players only. Unfortunately this will mean that booked tee times are likely to change significantly due to the limited tee times available. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause, but this is a necessary requirement in order for us to keep our golf course open.

Once these booking sheets are reconfigured, they will be re-opened so that members (only) can cancel/book tee times, or utilise the waitlist.

Throughout this period it is extremely important for every member to do their part and ensure they are practicing high levels of personal hygiene, and monitoring themselves for symptoms. If you (or someone in your household) develop even a mild cough or low-grade fever (37.3 or above) you should stay home and self-isolate for a period of 14 days, avoiding close contact with people and you should seek medical advice. The government also recommends that people aged 70 and over should stay at home and self-isolate for their own protection.

We hope that if all clubs can adhere to the strict guidelines set by the government we will be permitted to run golfing activities throughout this tough time.

Regards,

The NSW Office of Sport would like to clarify the advice that went out on Monday 30 March 2020.

As you know, there are now restrictions around public gatherings and rules around leaving your home. These new measures are in place to keep the community safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. But it is important to note that people are allowed to leave their homes for the purpose of exercise.

For more information on the new restrictions, please visit https://preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/public-health-orders

 What does this mean for sport and active recreation organisations?

The NSW Government has issued guidelines allowing people to go outside and exercise. Any form of exercise is to be undertaken in compliance with the Public Health Orders, meaning that people must not participate in groups greater than two persons at any point in time. Therefore, individual sports such as golf and tennis can continue provided the Public Health Orders are complied with.

Maintaining the public's physical and mental well-being is now as important as ever. Where possible, it is important sporting clubs and organisations continue to allow people to exercise, so long as social distancing is practised and rules around public gatherings of no more than two people are complied with.