THE INDIANA COURSE
OPEN FOR PLAY ON 1ST AUGUST
Dear Property Owner and Member,
We are delighted to announce the reopening of The Indiana course on Saturday, 1st August.
Golf Course Superintendent Zach LaPorte and his team have successfully completed the grass conversion programme of the tees, fairways and driving range to Pure Dynasty Paspalum on schedule. We hope that you have been keeping up with the weekly video updates Zach has been providing via our official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Zach remarked;
“I am extremely pleased with the success of the conversion programme to date. We witnessed an extremely rapid germination of the seed, which is only positive, and have since been constantly attentive to the irrigation cycles to ensure healthy growth of the new grass. As a warm season grass it is specifically designed to thrive in high temperatures, however for the next month we shall need to ensure that we keep the moisture present to allow for it to establish itself with a high density of coverage and strength. For this period the fairways will be soft underfoot and so as to protect the grass at this sensitive time, no buggies will be permitted on the fairways until 1st September.”
WELFARE AND SAFTEY
In agreement with the COVID-19 protocol of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation and the competition protocol of The Royal Spanish Federation (RFEG), the Association of Golf Courses (AECG), the Spanish Association of Managers (AEGG), the Spanish Association of Greenkeepers (AEdG), and the Spanish Association of Professionals (PGA), a series of guidelines and recommendations for the safe practice of the sport and wellbeing of golfers has been formulated into the ‘Instruction to the Player’ attached.
Its main purpose is to stipulate the applicable measures and recommendations for golfers, thus ensuring adherence to social distancing and minimizing the risks of contagion (Covid-19). These guidelines may be updated depending on further Government advice or amended social distancing measures.
As always, the health and safety of our owners, members, staff and visitors is, our number one priority. It is important to stress that this remains an extremely difficult situation, that the effects of the virus will continue to be felt for a long time to come and it will be essential that golf at Desert Springs re-opens in a responsible and safe way. Government advice and policy must be adhered to at all times, ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of everyone is maintained at all times.
A PHASED RETURN TO PLAY
Throughout the remainder of this year, the Club is initiating a phased return to play.
Between 1st August – 31st October tee times will be available from 08.00hrs – 12.56hrs. and course closure will be at 17.30hrs.
Between 1st November – 31st December tee times will be available from 08.00hrs – 12.00hrs. and course closure will be at 16.30hrs.
For golfers arriving for their pre-reserved tee time, social distance marker posts are positioned at 2-metre intervals along the pathway leading from the road crossing of the Golf Academy practice facilities to the 1st Tee. All players MUST respect social distancing.
From Saturday 1st August in the interests of ensuring that members have reasonable playing time options and availability, one half of the golf course capacity each day shall be held available for a rolling period of 30 days ending 7 days prior to the date to be booked for members to make reservations.
All tee time reservation requests must be made preferably online, by email to golfreservations@almanzora.com or by calling the Club Reception Monday – Sunday during opening hours on +34 950 091 518
NEW MEMBERSHIP CARDS
From 1st August the Club is introducing its new look Membership Card. Your credit for the course conversion closure previously advised has been registered onto your membership card which will only be provided to you when you present yourself at the Resort Reception in the Club House.
MEMBERS ONLINE TEE RESERVATIONS SYSTEM
As announced on June 2nd Desert Springs Golf Club launched its Members Online Tee Reservation System, permitting members to book up to two tee times per member online 24/7 from the comfort of their homes, from any computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone, without the need of contacting the Club.
Members have been provided with their login details (User Name and password) as well as tutorial links on how to use the system, which allows them to book their round of golf as well as their fellow members’ and guests in a very simple manner.
Over the coming weeks the Resort Receptionists will be contacting all members individually to answer any queries that they may have respect to operating with the Online Tee Reservation System.
The introduction of this new facility is in accordance with the ‘Players Golf Protocol’ previously distributed; a guide that stipulates the main applicable measures and recommendations for golfers, thus ensuring adherence to social distancing and minimizing the risks of contagion (Covid-19). We strongly encourage all members to avail themselves of this new booking system.
Please note that whilst this system enables you to book your tee time online from anywhere, all members are required to check in at the Resort Reception before play and collect their receipt as usual.
CLUB HOUSE
For those of you who have not been at the Golf Club for some time, upon your return you will notice a few differences.
- The Golf Boutique has been relocated opposite the Resort reception……..and we hope you like it!
- The Property Sales office has now been refurbished and is home to our new Resort Marketing office which will cater for three personnel.
- The location of the new look Property Sales Office, which replaces the old Golf Boutique, is undergoing renovation and will be open in August.
- Last but by no means least, the Resort Reception desk has been completely refurbished and enlarged with a wonderful cabinet display of trophies and silverware.
Between 1st August – 31st October Resort Reception will be open Monday – Friday
08.00hrs – 16.00hrs. and Saturday and Sunday 08.00hrs – 13.00hrs.
Between 1st November – 31st December Resort Reception will be open Monday – Friday
08.00hrs- 15.00hrs. and Saturday and Sunday 08.00hrs – 12.00hrs.
Social distancing MUST be adhered to at all times.
Be advised that the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms, the Men’s, Ladies and Disabled lavatory facilities will all be open.
RENTAL ITEMS
Golf buggy, manual and electric trolley and club rental is now available from Saturday 1st August.
Please note that due to the ongoing establishment of the new Pure Dynasty Paspalum grass on the fairways, until 1st September, whilst ‘Blue Flag Buggies’ will be permitted on the cart paths, they are not permitted on the fairways under any circumstances.
HACIENDA TOILETS
The Men’s and Ladies toilet facilities will be open during the hours of play.
BAG & TROLLEY STORAGE
For those members that have either their golf bag or trolley stored at the Caddy Master Office, please liaise with Resort reception if you wish to collect them. Be advised that thereafter the golf bag will need to remain in your own possession, however upon its return, our Caddy Master will sanitize and store your trolley once again.
GOLF ACADEMY
Measures have been implemented at the Golf Academy to provide the opportunity for practice to take place at the driving range from Monday-Sunday between 08.00hrs – 13.00hrs. commencing Saturday 1st August.
- Every other bay is closed to allow for practice in accordance with social distancing.
- Sanitising wipes are available at the ball machine.
- Payment for range balls will be made by Euro coin at the ball machine dispenser.
- As previously advised, Members ‘Range Credit’ for the ‘State of Alert’closure has been entered onto a registry held at the Resort Reception in the Club House. Your credit can be redeemed by requesting a debit to your account at the Resort Reception who shall then organise the range balls for you.
- At the chipping and putting greens the holes have been equipped to prevent the ball from descending completely to the bottom of the cup. The player will collect the ball with the greatest possible prevention of touching the flag pole.
Please note that practice at the chipping and putting greens can continue after the driving range is closed with players using their own golf balls.
GOLF LESSONS
From Saturday 1st August Teaching Professional, Aldo Martin will recommence providing golf lessons.
During August Aldo is only available Monday – Friday between 15:00hrs. – 16:00hrs. and on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00hrs. – 12:00hrs.
Specifically organised for the summer are the following Group Lessons;
Saturdays 09.00hrs. – 10.00hrs. Adult Mixed Coffee Morning
Saturdays 10.00hrs. – 11.00hrs. Junior Academy – Suitable for 8-18 years
If you are interested in enrolling, please contact the Resort Reception directly.
Director of Golf, Simon Coaker commented;
“The Club’s return to play will be under constant review. Over time, as we continue to work our way together safely through the present situation and importantly, in accordance with golfing demand, we shall look forward to being able to increase our Club services to full operation, for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
In the meantime, we would thank you all for your continued support and understanding in these unprecedented times. We are delighted to be able to welcome you back and encourage all to stay safe, stay well and enjoy your golf!”
