Members Bulletin 16.01.21

Dear Member

You will be aware that the Scottish Government has tightened the current restrictions as set out by the First Minister in an address to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 12^th January. Of the additional measures she indicated, two specifically apply to our golf club.

The first is the requirement that persons collecting takeaway meals may no longer enter the premises to collect these meals. In our case Darrall and Tracy’s Takeaway operation has previously operated to that restriction by handing over their takeaway meals either via the front entrance door or the lounge fire exit door. They will now be operating an outdoor collection service only via the front entrance door. Please support them if you can.

The second is the restriction of “click and collect” for retail shops. This is now restricted to essential items such as clothing, footwear, and hardware type goods only. This effects the Pro Shop. As of Saturday, 16^th January, the only items you can purchase from the Pro’s shop are clothing and footwear. The shop still acts as our “Starters Box” ensuring that our track and trace records of who is playing on the course are accurate should they be needed. You may not however enter the shop for any reason. There will be a barrier across the doorway of the shop to prevent anyone entering. You can open the door to speak to Sandy or Lewis but please do not try to enter the shop even by a few steps. Sandy or Lewis will serve you from within the shop to check you off on the tee sheet or serve you with clothing or footwear if you require. Remember to wear a mask or face covering if you are going to approach the shop doorway. Again, please support Sandy by purchasing from the Pro’s Shop whenever you can.

All other restrictions remain as they are. Toilets remain available during Pro Shop opening hours. Only the locker room toilets are in use and are accessed by using your swipe card to enter via the Putting Green door.

The locker rooms themselves are not currently in use.

We have been asked by a few members if we can accommodate solo booking for players who are fearful of mixing or have been shielding. Council have agreed that the Club will accept solo bookings for a tee time after 1:00pm in advance or at any time on the day of play. This will be effective when the course reopens.

Please help the Club and yourselves by adhering strictly to all the Covid-19 guidance. Maintain at least a minimum of 2m safe distance from others, stay away from the golf club if you feel unwell and get a test. Remember the F.A.C.T.S. pneumonic.

   Wear a Face covering,

               Avoid crowds,

               Clean your hands regularly,

Maintain Two metres distance from others,

        and Self isolate and get tested if you have any symptoms.

On another matter, despite my previous appeals, the Club still needs a new Secretary and cannot function without one. If you are or think you may be able to help please speak to a Council member, email admin@ellongolfclub.co.uk , or phone the Administrator on 01358 720576 to express your interest. The “Virtual” AGM is now only one month away, and the current Secretary has confirmed that he will be standing down at the conclusion of the AGM on 17^th February.

The course is currently closed on the advice of the Head Greenkeeper, Bill Shepherd. The whole course is very wet and there are several areas of ice which currently constitute an unacceptable safety hazard. When Bill Shepherd advises that it is safe and practical to reopen for play please check the notices on the website and outside the Pro’s Shop to see if any holes are out of play for safety reasons e.g. the 12^th Hole (current 3^rd) due to ice from sledging. 

Thank you to those members who have already paid their 2021 fees. The Club’s primary source of income is its members fees, deadline for payment is Wednesday 10^th February 2021. Although the office is closed membership fees can still be paid by cash/cheque/card in the Pro Shop or phone Sandra on 01358 720576 Option 1 (Mon-Thu) to pay over the phone or by bank transfer, details on your invoice.

Above all keep safe.

Stewart

Stewart MacLeod

Club Captain/Treasurer.

HOUSE OF COMMONS WINNERS 2019

Congratulations to our senior section on winning the House of Commons Cup at Inverallochy.

Mike Owen Memorial Golf Day

Mike was a retired fireman and a Clubgolf coach at McDonald Golf Club and the memorial competition was between friends of Mike at the golf club and the firefighters who had worked and known Mike.

BIG thank you again to everyone who played, helped & donated to the above competition.

Cheques for the Ellon Pipe Band, McDonald Golf club, Ellon Fire Service, NHS Grampian

HOUSE OF COMMONS WINNERS 2016

Congratulations to our senior section on winning the House of Commons Cup at Inverallochy.

Senior Team

Back Row Left to Right;

Iain Campbell, George Norrie, Jim Walker, Mike Keith, Brian Dunbar, George Milne.

Front Row Left to Right;

Alan MacKenzie, Dave Barclay, Bob Murray, Alex Bruce, Les Milne, Lennox Dunbar.