Captains email 6th January 2021

Dear Braids United members,

The Council met this evening to discuss how to proceed with the winter season in the face of the current lockdown restrictions that limit our golf to two-balls. With limited daylight hours at this time of year, this will obviously put immense pressure on tee times and this is reflected in how quickly the course is being booked up. Below I have summarised how we intend to proceed for as long as these restrictions are in force.

Competitions

The January and February medals, and the Currie Bowl, will be postponed until March and while play is on the composite course we will focus on the Winter League. Each round can be played on any day from Thursday to Sunday inclusive. If you are able to play on Thursday or Friday, please consider doing so in order to relieve pressure on weekend times.

Sign up

Most, if not all, tee times are being booked up rapidly after the EL sign-up opens, and with only two spaces available we feel that for the time being, and as a temporary arrangement, it is necessary to change the procedure. Therefore, sign up with EL first (you will have to do this as soon as the sign up opens, nine days in advance, or you will almost certainly be too late), and then after you have done this put your name on the club sign up at the corresponding time. Club signups for each day will be opened soon after the EL site opens, so that you will have to do this in the correct order. On a Saturday, if you want to have the maximum chance of playing with another BU member, our advice is to go for the traditional BU times of 11.30 onwards, but if there is nothing available within that timeframe you can book any other time that is available. You will then be able to find out from the club signup whether you are paired with a BU member. Of course, you can collaborate with another member in advance and then try to book the same tee time. On other days (Thursday, Friday, Sunday) you can collaborate with another member or just book a time and see who you end up playing with – almost certainly a random member of the public.

Score entry

The week’s competition will be opened for score entry on the club website on Thursday and will remain open until 8.00 pm on Sunday, and will be regarded as a single competition with respect to sweep prizes. Your intention to play on a particular day will monitored via the club signup, and you will have to enter your score on that day; if you don’t adhere to this, your score will not be included in the final results. We will be relying on everyone to behave in a trustworthy manner. Whether you are playing with another BU member, or a member of one of the other hill clubs, or a member of the public, be sure to verify your score verbally with your partner as you go round the course.

Clubhouse

It goes without saying that the clubhouse will remain closed for the time being. The locker room and toilets can, however, still be accessed subject to the accustomed rules regarding face masks, personal hygiene and social distancing.

As always, if you have any questions regarding the above procedures, please don’t hesitate to ask myself or another Council member.

Regards,

Wilf

(Captain)