As you are probably aware we have, until recently, been able to redeem our competition vouchers to House Of Golf in Mile End.

Unfortunately this business has closed.

We have been able to find another outlet which will provide the same service - Eagle Golf which is situated at Mt Osmond Golf Club proshop.

As before, just take your vouchers along and they will look after you. You will find they have a extensive range of products and they also do repairs.

The greens coring, scheduled for today has been partially completed. The weather relented just enough for the main coring operation to be completed and the sand to be distributed on the greens. 

However, the rain has made the task of sweeping the sand into the greens impossible (think about how hard it is to get sand off your great grandchildren at the beach when they are wet). This, final, task will be completed as soon as possible hopefully tomorrow or Sunday. Joel and his mates are working hard to get the task completed as soon as possible, but sometimes the weather ain't your friend.

You usual patience and calm responses are appreciated.

Our captain has got together with his counterpart at Murray Bridge and devised an "informal" competition between the two clubs. Nothing official at this stage but bragging rights will definitely accrue to the winning club.

Details:
Echunga members who want to play at Murray Bridge on any of these dates - Saturday 11th, 25th and/or Wednesdays 15th and 22nd will have their scores included in the competition. The average stableford score for the two clubs will be used to determine the "winner".

Saturdays:
If you wish to join in, you should arrange your own group and contact the pro shop at Murray Bridge Golf Club on 8532 6535 or email proshop@murraybridgegolfclub.com.au to book a tee time.

Wednesdays:
Wednesday is the MB club comp day. Our captain, Ben Slack will arrange the tee times for you. Please contact Ben on 0417 809 588 or email benslack71@gmail.com

This initiative is a gesture from MB to ensure that Echunga members are aware that they are welcome at the club. We are looking at the option of a reciprocal competition format when the weather is a bit dryer.

Any questions, please ring Ben

The weather is not our friend at present. We closed the back nine because of the boggy state of the course there, but this has increased the traffic on the front nine.

So the course is now open EXCEPT for the Saturday comp on 11th June, which will be played on the front nine twice.

Hopefully, this will spread the load on the course while this weather continues. 

Members and guests are asked to be careful to avoid driving carts near to greens when there is frost on the ground. The damage caused by the tyres on the frost covered ground is substantial and long lasting through winter.

From June 1st SA will move to Stage 2 of the pathways to a Covid Safe Community.

For Echunga this means:

• up to 24 persons will be allowed inside the clubhouse to sit, eat and enjoy a drink.
• 4 people can sit a the single table in the sprig bar.
• 20 people can sit in groups of 4 at the five tables in the course bar
• Up to 25 people can sit outside the clubhouse, provided they observe the 1.5m social distancing rule.
• People must observe the 4m2 per person rule
• Members must respect the 1.5m social distancing obligations when queuing, entering and exiting the Club.
• Patrons in all areas must be seated at this stage.  Family and friends for example are permitted to sit together at tables without social distancing, however the back of any chair at any table must be at least 1.5m from the back of the chair at another table;
• Patrons will be permitted to consume alcohol without a meal, but they must remain seated.
• Bar service will be permitted, however drinks must be consumed away from the bar and while seated.
• Separate toilets have been allocated to the inside and outside areas. Members and guests are asked to comply with these allocations.
• Current restrictive local rules remain in place.

As members would be aware, the Corona Virus has played havoc with our competition program. However, with the gradual easing of the restrictions our Captain, Ben Slack, has revised the program for the rest of the year in an attempt to complete it. 

The most significant changes are that the club championship qualifying rounds will now be held from Saturday 17th October and the final will be on Saturday 14th November.  

Here are the changes:

Sat 26 Sept – AFL Grand Final Day ???????
Mon 28 or Tues 29 Sept – Coring and Green Maintenance
Sat 10 Oct – PAR comp. Blue Block Challenge
Sat 17 Oct – STROKE comp. R1 Club Champs Qualifying, MM, Eclectic, Putting, R1 Presidents Trophy
Sat 24 Oct – STROKE comp. 2nd round Club Championship Qualifying
Sat 31 Oct – STABLEFORD comp. Quarter Finals Club Championship
Sat 7 Nov – STABLEFORD comp. Semi Finals Club Championship
Sat 14 Nov – PAR comp. Finals Club Championship
Sat 21 Nov – STROKE comp. MM, Eclectic, Putting, R2 Presidents Trophy, Les Couch Memorial Trophy
Sat 13 Feb – STABLEFORD comp. 1st Round Summer Cup, Handicap Match Play Qualifying
Sat 20 Feb – PAR comp. Quarter Finals and Semi Finals Handicap Match Play
Sat 27 Feb – STABLEFORD comp. Final Handicap Match Play


The full program is available here.

Following the State Government's relaxation of some C-19 restrictions, the committee has now decided that groups of up to four players will now be permitted on the course at all time.

This does not change any of the requirement for all members and guests to practice social distancing and to observe all the other requirements of this pandemic. This includes reduced physical contact, frequent hand washing, no exchange of cards etc.

Note too, this will NOT change the booking sheet for Saturday 16th May, which cannot be changed at this late stage.

In order to allow for competition golf, starting on Sunday 10th May, the weekly competition will recommence.

• Players may register for the comp at the bar any day of the week.
  
• Cards will be stamped and marked. Players must record their name clearly on the card, as well as the name of their marker.
  
• Players must calculate their own stableford score and record it clearly on the card
• Cards must be signed - but only by the player - see local rules concerning cards.
• Cards will be placed in a clearly marked box located in the green fees honesty box (NOT the score card box)
• Scores will be uploaded and prizes will be awarded, as before, but will not be available until after the corona virus restrictions are removed
• Any queries should be directed to club captain, Ben Slack.
• SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES STILL APPLY

​Following discussion with SAPOL, the committee has determined that we may sell soft drinks, water and other non alcoholic beverages to members and guests. These will be available before, during and after the round. 

BUT the beverages must be consumed AWAY from the clubhouse. Only by doing this are we complying with the requirement t only provide take-away drinks. So any breach of this may result in a rescission of this decision.

Members and guests must also be aware of good hygiene practices for themselves and for our staff. This means washing your hands often and reducing your physical contact.  

And the other C19 restrictions about 1 person in the clubhouse and social distancing remain as before.