Good evening, I trust this email finds you all safe and well. 

The purpose of this email is to provide a summary of the Governor’s press conference from today, Monday April 27. The summary is as follows:

• Texas has had the 3rd largest recovery of all the states from COVID 19. The goal is to get Texans back to work safely and responsibly. 
• The Executive Order previously issued to stay at home which expires on April 30 will expire as scheduled. Time to set a new course to open up business in Texas using safe standards was based on data and doctor's input. 
• Texas businesses will open in phases. Phase 1 - May 1, 2020 
• Protecting our most vulnerable Texans over 65 years of age is the top priority. Vulnerable populations continue to stay at home if possible. Protecting Texans in senior living centers is a top priority. 
• The list of businesses that can open May 1: All restaurants, retail, malls, and movie theaters with a controlled occupancy of no more than 25 percent can open. This order supersedes any local ordinance. There is however no requirement to open any business that does not wish to open at this time. Museums and libraries can open with 25 percent occupancy, but no hands-on areas in these facilities can open.   
• Sole proprietors of retail can open May 1 under these safe standards.   
• Churches and places of worship can expand capacity. 
• Outdoor sports are allowed with no more than 4 participants i.e. golf and tennis specifically mentioned. 
• Doctors, nurses and dentists can get back to work…all licensed health care professionals can return to work. Hospitals must keep 15 percent capacity for COVID patients. 
• Essential services can continue to operate as they have (i.e. banks, hardware stores) 
• A different standard will apply to counties with 5 or fewer COVID cases…all businesses activities can now have a capacity of 50 percent.   
• Bars, barber shops, nail shops, hair salons and gyms cannot open yet. Hoping no later than mid-May.   
• Childcare and summer camps cannot open yet.   
• Masks are recommended; not a mandate. No jurisdiction can fine or penalty for no mask.  
• Phase 2 - May 18, 2020 - Phase 2 will be implemented if no flare ups and COVID-19 is contained. Businesses opening will be expanded along with capacity requirements in these businesses to 50 percent if data confirms decrease in deaths, hospitalizations, hot spots.  

Below is what the Governor is calling “The Governor’s Report to Open Texas.” We encourage all Members and Associates to read this document. Golf is specifically mentioned on page 38 , but I encourage you to read all pages as other parts of this document pertain to many aspects of golf operations.

Please note that the information in this document does not take effect until Friday, May 1. We continue to encourage our facilities and professionals to practice social distancing and be a source of positivity within the community.    

As it pertains to the NTPGA specifically, more information will come later this week with updates and announcements around our section tournaments, junior golf programs and general operations.  

Please continue to stay safe and let me know if you have any questions. Have a great evening. 

Executive Director / CEO

NTPGA

214-420-7421

mharrison@ntpga.com

We trust that this email finds you healthy and safe. 

As you may have heard, on Saturday, April 11, Governor Abbott made comments related to golf. The following day, a guidance letter of legal advice was provided by the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Click HERE to read the letter. 

Golf indeed can, and has been approved to provide a safe haven to get exercise and take a break from the uncertainty many of us are feeling at the moment. However, whether or not golf is allowed to be played will continue to be determined County to County and Judge to Judge throughout the State of Texas. If a facility is open, it is then up to facility ownership, management, city councils and board of directors to determine if they are open and, if open, how they will operate within the guidelines.  

It is imperative for facilities that are to open follow the best practices created specifically for golf. Facilities must also strictly enforce social distancing protocols and CDC guidelines related to COVID-19. 

Below is a Summary of the Guidance Letter About Golf Courses Regarding GA-14:

• GA-14 expressly allows for “engaging in physical activity.” In Texas, a person is not prohibited from playing or practicing golf on a private or public facility. 
• The portion of the clubhouse that may provide “essential services,” like restaurants may continue to provide take-out or delivery options. 
• Golf course maintenance operations may continue. 
• Staff who are necessary to maintain safety and sanitation of businesses are likewise essential. 
• Golf shops and other areas of a clubhouse that are deemed non-essential should be closed. Therefore, tee times and if applicable, payment should be made in advance and on-line. 

If the facility that you work or play at is open, it is absolutely imperative that social distancing protocols and public health instructions are followed by those operating the facility and also those that are playing golf. There will be zero tolerance as breaches may result in fines and the facility being shut down by local authorities.

The coronavirus is affecting the lives of all of us in ways we could not have imagined a few weeks ago. However, as outlined in the guidance letter, golf has the unique opportunity to be one of the first activities to come back to life as a safe refuge on the other side of this pandemic.

 

On behalf of those that work collectively for the betterment of the Texas golf industry, enjoy the game by “engaging in physical activity,” but most importantly, do so safely and responsibly and follow protocols that have been outlined by the President of the United States, the CDC and local authorities. 

We trust that you, your family and all those at your facility remain healthy and safe. 

Thank you for your attention to this letter. 

Managing Director

CMAA

214-871-9800

sam@texascmaa.org

Managing Director South Central Field Representative

GCSAA

800-472-7878 ext. 3634

jwalker@gcsaa.org 

Executive Director / CEO

NTPGA

214-420-7421

mharrison@ntpga.com

Executive Director

TARO

214-871-9800

sam@txaro.org

Executive Director

TGA

214-468-8942

sdennis@txga.org

Executive Director

STPGA

832-442-2404

thutton@pgahq.com

After a conference call with The PGA of America on Friday and thoughtful consideration and communication with your Section Officers, the Section will be extending the postponement and/or cancelation of Section, Chapter and Junior Tour and Foundation events through April 12, 2020. The Pro-Pro and Pro-Scratch will be rescheduled for later this summer and fall. All contestants who are currently registered will be refunded in full. Also, those that have booked a room at the casino will be refunded in full.

Following the declaration of COVID-19 as a national emergency along with the cancellations of The Masters and several PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour tournaments, the Section is taking this precautionary step to prevent the spread of the virus and support the well-being of our Members, Staff and communities. 

With the exception of Ryan Kossick and Mark Harrison, the Section staff has begun working remotely starting today - Monday, March 16. All operations and services will continue as normal, and we will maintain consistent exceptional levels of service.

Our priority is your health and safety, and we appreciate your understanding during these challenging times.

These are interesting times for sure for all of us, however, we are bullish that although golf will for sure feel the trickle-down effects of COVID-19, that our facilities may remain quite busy. Sooner or later, people are going to be looking for socially responsible ways to entertain themselves in safe and controlled environments, and what better place to do that than at a golf course or driving range.