Please note: Scroll down for additional resource links. 

Dear California Golf Industry Members:

Understandably, there is tremendous confusion over what is allowed and what is not following last night’s order by the governor, which appears to be at odds with directives and decisions being made by local governments. Industry leaders are working hard to find answers that will help guide you as you decide whether or not to remain open for business, and what level of customer service, golf play, and course maintenance is allowed.

At this time, our best guidance is that these decisions should be handled on a course by course basis. If you are considering staying open to the public or uncertain which activities can continue at your course, we encourage you to contact your county Public Health Department for clarification of their interpretation of the requirements and the county’s planned enforcement actions, as enforcement will occur at the local level. A comprehensive list of county health departments, with links to their websites and contact details, may be found here.

If your county indicates that golf play and maintenance may continue, please communicate that message to me, along with any specific restrictions and health and safety measures, as I will maintain a database of local policies, and will update other members on those details.

IMPORTANT: If your county indicates that golf play and/or maintenance are not allowed, or they are indecisive (we know of one county health office that told one person that golf was allowed and another that it wasn’t), please email me immediately, and I will work with other industry stakeholders on a coordinated effort to assist in resolving the situation in your county. It is very important that the messaging is consistent, appropriate and accurate, so you are urged to work through the allied industry associations (CGCOA, GCSA chapters, NCGA, NCPGA, SCGA, SCPGA) to enable a coordinated effort at the local level.

If you decide to advocate to your health department directly, please coordinate your efforts with other courses in your county to keep the message consistent and limit the burden on local health officials, then communicate the outcomes of those efforts to your neighboring courses and to me. For guidance on appropriate messaging about the importance of ongoing course maintenance, courtesy of GCSAA, please visit here.

For best management practices for those courses that conclude that golf play is allowed at their course, please reference the following documents:

Courtesy of GCSAA – COMMUNICATING COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS THE GOLF INDUSTRY IS TAKING CONCERNING PLAY

NGCOA – PARK and PLAY Program: Making Your Course Social Distance Ready (Reviewed and approved by physicians with the Infectious Diseases Society of America)

Additional GCSAA resources related to management of the COVID-19 crisis at your property may be found here. All resources have been vetted by GCSAA legal counsel.

Additional Resource Links 

Below are additional resources for course owners, operators and employees:

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Employment

Please visit here for benefits for workers impacted by COVID-19 and also check out the EDD’s Frequently Asked Questions.

Paid Family Leave

Paid family leave is available for those who stay home because they need to take care of someone who has contracted the virus (COVID-19) or who has been quarantined (must be certified by a medical professional). Learn how to file a Paid Family Leave Claim here.

Disability Benefits/Paid Sick Leave

Disability benefits /paid sick leave are available for those who have actually contracted the virus themselves or who have been exposed to it and are quarantined (must be certified by a medical professional in the case of Disability Benefits). Learn how to file a Disability Insurance Claim here.

Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits are available to those whose hours have been reduced or who have lost their job due to coronavirus measures (and it also applies to those who choose to stay home due to underlying health issues making them more vulnerable). The Governor has waived the 1 week wait time and the person may not be required to be actively looking for work (as is usually required). Learn how to file an Unemployment Insurance Claim here. Unfortunately, this benefit is not available to undocumented persons whose hours are reduced or lose their job for reasons related to COVID-19, etc.

School Closures

If your child’s school is closed and you have to miss work to care for them. You might qualify for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Learn how to file an Unemployment Insurance Claim here.

We will continue to monitor this rapidly evolving situation, and will provide you with new information as it becomes available.

Marc Connerly, Executive Director
mconnerly@connerlyandassociates.com