COVID-19

Getting Back2Golf Guidelines and Operational Playbook (04/30/2021))

Dear PGA Member,

As states and communities across the country begin to re-open their economies, we are excited to share with you, Back2Golf, which was put together in collaboration with our Allied Golf Organizations. This plan has been reviewed and is in alignment with the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Back2Golf is a comprehensive plan that allows golf to reopen where closed and remain open responsibly while observing recommended social distancing guidelines.

This plan, which includes “Back2Golf Guidelines” and a corresponding “Back2Golf Operations Playbook” is based on the operational underpinnings in “Guidelines Opening Up America Again” published by the White House and the CDC. It includes a specific, three-phased approach to golf that aligns with their social distancing guidelines for the broader economy. Each phase includes medically endorsed operational protocols when it comes to social distancing, the sanitation of physical facilities and the health of you and your staff which are specifically outlined in the “Operations Playbook”.

We will continue to work closely with our Allied Golf Organizations and the CDC to update the “Operations Playbook” when appropriate to provide you with the most up-to-date and relevant information. Please look for these updates each week in our “Five Things To Know” email.

To learn more regarding each phase, please read through the “Back2Golf Guidelines” document here and the “Back2Golf Operations Playbook” also hosted on PGA.org here.

Best,

John Easterbrook, PGA
Chief Membership Officer
PGA of America

(05/22/2020) Golf Emergency Relief Fund Updates

Dear Member,

As you are aware, in response to the severe challenges impacting golf communities nationwide, the Golf Emergency Relief Fund was established to provide short-term financial assistance to certain individuals facing significant financial hardship, with an initial focus on those impacted by COVID-19.

As we have seen over the last few weeks – as our communities respond to COVID-19 – the more we are forced to stay apart, the more we are reminded of how connected we all truly are. We are pleased to announce that E4E Relief awarded in excess of $4 million to over 3,300 individuals during Phase 1 of the Golf Emergency Relief Fund.

Initiated through a lead pledge by the PGA of America, the fund will continue to provide grants to industry professionals, including golf association members, employees of local/state golf associations, caddies and certain professionals playing on developmental tours to help offset financial hardships, such as basic needs, living and medical expenses.

Applications for Phase 2 grants begin on Wednesday, May 27. Phase 2 is another opportunity to assist those economically impacted by the pandemic. Eligible workers will have the opportunity to apply for Phase 2 grants of up to $3,500. Individuals receiving grants through the first phase will be eligible to apply for grants in the second phase but the maximum amount an individual can receive in aggregate from the first and second phase is $3,500. Individuals who did not apply for Phase 1, and those who were denied during Phase 1, are still eligible to apply for Phase 2.

The second phase will have a longer application process and distribute grants as reviewed and approved by E4E Relief on a rolling basis. Documentation needed will vary based on the type of expenses requested. Although Phase 2 is a needs-based analysis and not the same process as Phase I, grants will be approved on a rolling basis. Accordingly, applicants are encouraged to submit early in the process, and make all requested expense-related documentation available to E4E Relief as soon as possible.

The PGA’s contribution to the Golf Emergency Relief Fund included every member of the executive leadership team voluntarily reducing their compensation, and additionally, personal donations from members of the PGA Board of Directors have been pledged.

Please continue to refer to the application page on golf.e4erelief.org for additional information, questions and supplemental documentation required for Phase 2.

Please note that the distribution of funds for grants reviewed and approved by E4E Relief in Phase 1 of the Golf Emergency Relief Fund concluded on May 21, 2020.

It has been through the contributions and support of many throughout the golf industry, including Allied Associations, that the Golf Emergency Relief Fund has been such an important source of help for many in need.

Respectfully,

Suzy Whaley, PGA
President
PGA of America

Seth Waugh
CEO
PGA of America

(04/22/2020) Phase 1 Golf Emergency Relief Fund Applications

Anyone who registered by Friday, April 17, 2020 at 2 p.m. but was unable to complete the application process will have until TODAY, Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 4 pm ET to complete. The time of registration (not the time of application submission) is the moment in time deemed effective. Apply here.

(04/17/2020) Phase 1 of Golf Emergency Relief Fund Closing at 2 PM ET

Due to overwhelming response, E4E Relief will be closing registrations for Phase 1 of the Golf Emergency Relief Fund at 2 pm ET today (April 17, 2020).

As a reminder, applications are received on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that as it relates to the first-come, first-serve nature of the grant approvals, the time of registration (not the time of application submission) is the moment in time deemed effective. Anyone who registered but was unable to complete the application process will have until Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 4 pm ET to complete the application process.

On Thursday, April 16, as a result of the high volume of people seeking to apply for a grant in a very concentrated window of time, E4E Relief experienced loading issues causing difficulty for applicants to complete their application, after registering on the site. Those who were deemed ineligible during the initial pre-screening questions will have another opportunity to review the information they provided to ensure the accuracy of information and re-submit their application.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. We will communicate further details on Phase 2 of the Golf Emergency Relief Fund as they become available from E4E.

For questions or assistance, please call 833-386-0338 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET or contact golf@e4erelief.org. You can also visit the Golf Emergency Relief Fund FAQs here. E4E will be the sole group reviewing and approving or disapproving all applications.

(04/16/2020) Golf Emergency Relief Fund Technical Issue Update

https://news.pga.org/members/golf-emergency-relief-fund-technical-issue-update

To apply for assistance from the Golf Emergency Relief Fund and to find further details, visit relief.golf. Applications will be live this Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 2 p.m. ET.        

Dear PGA Member,

During these incredibly challenging times, many people working in golf, who are normally there for others, are now in need of help themselves. Our friends, colleagues and their families need our support right away. We have to ensure that the heart and soul of our game—our people—are able to get back on their feet and continue to serve others down the road.

In response to the severe challenges impacting golf communities nationwide, we are announcing today that we have established a brand new Golf Emergency Relief Fund. 

The fund is designed to provide short-term financial assistance to certain individuals working in the golf industry, including PGA of America Professionals, who are facing significant financial hardship right now, including those suffering as a result of COVID-19.

For this relief effort, the PGA of America has made a lead pledge of $5 million, plus a matching fund for gifts from third parties of up to $2.5 million. The initial contribution includes every member of the PGA’s executive leadership team voluntarily reducing their compensation. Personal donations have also been made from our Board of Directors. With matching, we hope the fund grows to over $10 million.

The effort is also being supported in various ways by a number of industry organizations, including the GCSAA, PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, NGCOA and AGM.

The fund is managed by E4E Relief, an independent third-party public charity, which will provide grants to certain industry workers, including golf association members, employees of local/state golf associations, caddies and certain professionals playing on developmental tours to help offset COVID-19 related financial hardships, such as living and medical expenses.

For a complete list of individuals that may be eligible, click here.

• The first phase of the fund will distribute two tiers of funding with $500 grants for basic needs; and up to $1,500 grants for critical needs, with applications being reviewed, approved and grants disbursed by E4E on a rolling first-come, first-served basis.
• A second phase, currently scheduled to roll out after the completion of Phase 1, will have a longer application process, and distribute funds of up to $3,500, as reviewed and approved by E4E, on a rolling first-come, first-served basis. Individuals receiving grants through the first phase will be eligible to apply for grants in the second phase but the maximum amount an individual can receive in aggregate from the first and second phase is $3,500.

Further details around eligibility are forthcoming, with applications being accepted starting this Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. ET at relief.golf. 

To read the press release announcing the fund, please click here.

FAQs as they become available will also be posted on relief.golf.

We need to come to the aid of those who make this game we love so special, to help ensure their livelihood. We hope that you will help spread the word among your golf industry friends and colleagues about the availability of the new Golf Emergency Relief Fund.

We are here for you, and we are here to help, because the golf industry needs our compassionate support now more than ever.

Respectfully,

Suzy Whaley, PGA
President
PGA of America

Seth Waugh
CEO
PGA of America

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

The U.S. Senate passed the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide relief to Americans and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.  Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people.  Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.

Please see this file with information compiled by our partner GolfProPayments on the CARES Act and loans to keep your facility or business open and your employees working.

PGA Disaster Relief and PGA Member Assistance (PGA Members only)

The PGA of America is here to help those personally affected by the COVID-19 through PGA Disaster Relief and the PGA Member Assistance Program.

PGA Disaster Relief provides PGA Members reimbursement for out of pocket expenses incurred as the result of acute, serious illness, accidents, natural disasters and other emergencies not otherwise covered by insurance or other relief programs. This includes out of pocket medical expenses for serious situations, like hospitalizations, related to the COVID-19. To learn more about PGA Disaster Relief, please click here. To apply for PGA Disaster Relief, please click here.

PGA Members can also make contributions to the funds to assist those in need through the link above.

We are also aware that people are understandably concerned about their health, jobs and future during these unprecedented times. To help with this,  the PGA Member Assistance Program provides confidential, professional counseling and online services for a wide array of personal and well-being concerns.  We encourage you to remind your fellow Members they can seek help at resources.pga.org.

Additionally, new government programs have recently come out that we are researching and will continue to monitor to see how they can best benefit our membership including:

• Small Business Loans
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act

NC & SC UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

The PGA has established a new resource center on PGA.org specific to helping our Professionals who are employers and/or employees with questions.  Because the specifics of employment law and recommended Covid-19 best practices are different state-by-state, we have included a link that will direct PGA Professionals to the 50 state departments of labor for information that is relevant based on their location.  Please pass this resource along to anyone looking for resources related to employment issues during these challenging times.

Carolinas GCSA Facilities Survey Results as of 3/19/20

Jani-King Best Practices for Carolinas PGA during COVID-19

Golf Professional Natural Disaster Facebook Page

Click the image above to see a best practice from CPGA Partner, GolfProPayments on ways facilities and restaurants can stay open for business without members stepping inside with their virtual processing.

‘We can play a small role in helping people get through this’:
Powhatan golf course embraces change to welcome players
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Mill Creek Golf Club Letter to Members
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Coronavirus COVID-19
FACILITY UPDATE
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

From Karl Kimball,  PGA – A “slide” to use in your golf shop to ensure social distancing from members, customers, and guests. They use a regular golf club box with the top cut off.

Industry Education
Many organizations are providing resources for the golf community at this time. Below are a few links to items that might be helpful to your organization or your member clubs.

National Club Association Webinars
Covid-19 Town Hall – View Recording
Legal Ramifications of COVID-19 and Your Club – View Recording
“Your Club is Closing, Now What?” – View Recording
COVID-19 Public Health Town Hall – View Recording

WE ARE GOLF
Click HERE to view daily updates from WE ARE GOLF

GCSAA
Click HERE to view the GCSAA COVID-19 Pandemic Resource site

NGCOA
Click HERE to view the NGCOA Resources for Courses