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COVID-19 Update Center

ALABAMA–NW FLORIDA PGA COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES

Alabama–NW Florida PGA Messages:

A Note from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Board of Directors – Thursday, January 14, 2021 10:30 AM:

After reviewing the survey results sent out to the Membership regarding hosting an in-person or virtual Annual Meeting on February 8, 2021, the Board has decided to postpone the 2021 Annual Meeting.  The goal will be to host an in-person meeting on a future date in 2021 – details will be released at a later date.


A Note from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Board and Staff – Thursday, August 6, 2020 11:00 AM:

Adhering to the most recent protocols and ordinances from the Alabama Department of Public Health as it relates to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Section Board and Staff have decided to postpone the Third Annual Foundation Classic at Riverchase Country Club.  Read the Full Statement 〉


A Note from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Staff – Thursday, July 11, 2020 11:30 AM:

Due to the recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and in following the most recent Alabama state ordinances regarding golf cart sharing, the 2020 Oakley Pro-Junior and the 2020 E-Z-GO Pro-Official/Superintendent have been cancelled.  Read the Full Statement 〉


A Note from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Staff – Wednesday, June 3, 2020 12:30 PM:

We are excited to continue this transition in to a new normal in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  In these uncertain times, golf gives us a place of rest and comfort – something we all need.  We are committed to remaining transparent in our decisions regarding upcoming tournaments, and attentive to current events which seem to be happening in real time.

With all this said, we are encouraged by the commitment of our Members and Associates to their facilities, communities and the game of golf.  We truly believe each PGA Member and Associate plays a valuable role in making a difference in the lives of people every day – we celebrate this with you.  Let’s take on this new chapter together and help make the game we all love a little better each day by boldly sharing our accomplishments, our hopes and our dreams with others throughout the Section.

Thank you for your continued support.


Message from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Tournament Committee – Wednesday, May 13, 2020 11:45 AM:

Please see the updated Policies & Procedures as it relates to COVID-19 and practicing safety at Section events.  These guidelines are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and local/state health officials.  Read More 〉


Message from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Officers – Wednesday, May 6, 2020 11:30 AM:

The first Section Tournament of the 2020 season will be held on Monday, May 18 with the HMG Stroke Play #1 at Riverchase Country Club.  This will be the only event held in May – the Section staff is working with the Tournament Committee over the next to revise the schedule for the 2020 Season and will be announced in the coming weeks.  View the Updated Schedule and Register for the HMG Stroke Play #1 〉


Message from Chief Membership Officer, John Easterbrook, PGA – Wednesday, April 29, 2020 7:00 PM:

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.

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.


Message from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Staff – Monday, April 27, 2020 9:30 AM:

We would like to pass along some information we received from our friends at the North Florida PGA Section over the weekend regarding the usage of golf carts in the state of Florida:  We received clarification from Governor DeSantis’ office that golf carts can be shared by family members or significant others residing in the same household. Please note all other carts shall be single rider only.  This is in effect immediately (Saturday, April 25th).  We appreciate the guidance and assistance from Governor DeSantis and his team during these challenging times and will continue to communicate any state orders or changes to this policy as they become available.  Read the Full Memo from the Golf Florida Alliance 〉


Message from the PGA of America Board of Directors – Monday, April 13, 2020 2:15 PM:

GOLF EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND – In response to the severe challenges impacting golf communities nationwide, the PGA of America is announcing today that they 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.  Learn More 〉


Message from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Staff – Sunday, April 5, 2020 12:30 PM:

On Friday, April 3, Governor Ivey announced a Stay at Home Executive Order for all of Alabama beginning Saturday, April 4 at 5:00 PM.  Since then, the Alabama Golf Association in conjunction with the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Section, the Alabama Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America) received a clarification that golf (whether playing the game or golf course maintenance) is an approved outdoor activity per Governor Ivey’s “Stay At Home Order” issued on April 3 assuming the six-foot social distancing requirement and the shared or touched equipment protocol is followed.

We will continue to provide updates from the Governor’s office as they become available.


Message from Alabama–NW Florida PGA Board – Wednesday, April 1, 2020 3:30 PM:

The Alabama Chapter Championship scheduled for May 4-5, 2020 at Willow Point Golf & Country Club has been postponed to a later date.


Message From the Alabama-NW Florida PGA Staff – Tuesday, March 31, 2020 11:45 AM:

Just like so many industries all over the world right now, the golf industry looks a little different these days. Like you, we are trying to figure out the best course of action during these unprecedented times.  With the constant cancellations and postponements, it seems like the start of the 2020 golf season will forever be just out of reach.

Here’s where we’ve landed – over the next week or so we want to hear from you, and what you love about the game of golf.  Like many of you, we are in uncharted territory, trying to make sense of our jobs and life in general.  For us right now, that feels like providing a common place where we can come together and tell stories and share memories we’ve had on the golf course.

While the start of golf season may be delayed in some regard, we believe there is an inherent goodness to holding on to hope in these uncertain moments.  As we all strive to make the most of the coming days and weeks, join the conversation on our social media channels by following #mygolfhighlight.


Message From the National Drive, Chip & Putt Partners – Friday, March 27, 2020 9:00 AM:

On March 13, it was announced that the 2020 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals had been postponed due to the impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19. After thoughtful deliberation, and with the guidance of public health experts, the Founding Partners of Drive, Chip & Putt have provided the following update:

  • The 2020-21 Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying season, set to begin May 2, will be canceled, given the continued effect of COVID-19 on scheduling during the time period critical to the success of local qualifying. Ultimately, the Founding Partners determined cancellation was the most responsible measure to take in protecting the health of everyone involved in this national endeavor, which includes tens of thousands of participants, their families and all those essential to staging hundreds of qualifying events across all 50 states.
  • This year’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals originally scheduled for April 5, 2020, will be rescheduled for April 4, 2021, the eve of the Masters Tournament. Each National Finalist will be invited to compete at Augusta National Golf Club in the same age division for which he or she previously qualified in 2020, regardless of their age on that date. Purchasers of Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals tickets will be sent a refund in May and guaranteed the opportunity to purchase tickets for the National Finals next year.

Visit the National Drive, Chip & Putt Website for More Information 〉


Message From the Section Tournament Committee – Thursday, March 26, 2020 11:15 AM:

On Friday, March 13, we issued a memo stating our plans to postpone all Section & Chapter events through Friday, April 3.  As the ever-increasing risks associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to be widespread, the Alabama – NW Florida PGA Tournament Committee has made the decision to postpone all Section & Chapter events through April 30, 2020.

The Section Staff & Tournament Committee will continue to monitor recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local / state health officials.  The health and well-being of our Members, Associates and communities across our Section will remain our top priority.

The Tournament Committee will begin to look at amended scheduling options once there is more clarity to when events can resume.  We will continue to be thoughtful and transparent with decisions as we move forward in the coming weeks.

Thank you all for your continued support and stay safe.


Message from the Alabama–NW Florida PGA Board – Wednesday, March 25, 2020 10:35 AM:

We wanted to share a few words of wisdom as we all continue through these times of uncertainty. Now is an important time as ever to stay positive & encouraged as we face this head-on together – you got this!


Message From Wade Dockery, Tournament Director – Tuesday, March 24, 2020 11:58 AM:

All Pro-Members through the end of April have been postponed.  Additionally, all Playing Ability Tests scheduled in the Alabama–NW Florida Section through the end of April have been postponed.


Message From Wade Dockery, Tournament Director – Tuesday, March 17, 2020 4:30 PM:

Following the announcement from the PGA Tour regarding all tournaments being cancelled through May 10, 2020, the Huntsville Championship has been postponed to a later date. We will be closing registration and issuing refunds to anyone signed up for the Huntsville Championship Qualifier.  Refunds will be processed first thing tomorrow [Wednesday, March 18] morning. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything else we can do for you.


Message From Bart Rottier, Executive Director – Monday, March 16, 2020 1:00 PM:

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 coronavirus and support the well-being of our Members, Staff and communities. All Section Staff will be primarily working remotely for the foreseeable future.  All operations and services will continue as normal, and we will maintain exceptional levels of service.  Please refer to our contact information at the bottom of this page should you need to reach out to Bart, Wade or Hayden.


Message From Bart Rottier, Executive Director – Monday, March 16, 2020 12:30 PM:

During unprecedented times we are forced into making decisions that are derived from little experience and information. The Section is continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation and we want to help you do the same.  The impact on your facility and community is immeasurable and helping you navigate these unknowns has become our priority.

We have begun to work closely with our District 3 Sections (Tennessee, Gulf States and Alabama–NW Florida Sections) to create an environment where we can accumulate as much data and best practices as we can.  By utilizing all three Sections we are hopeful we can collect as much meaningful data as we can.  You can view all these resources & data using the links at the top of this page.


Message From John Carney,  President – Friday, March 13, 2020 1:13 PM:

We hope everything is well with you and your Club. Your Section Officers and Section Staff just finished a conference call with PGA CEO Seth Waugh and all PGA of America Leadership regarding the Coronavirus and what’s happening Nationally, Sectionally and Locally. While we are not sure where this Virus will go nor do we know how long it will last, we have been instructed by the PGA of America to postpone all Section events until further notice. The PGA of America is being proactive in trying to stop the spread of this virus which seems to be being spread easier in larger groups.

Our Stroke Play scheduled for the Country Club of Mobile on Monday will not be played and will be rescheduled if possible. We thank Scott Smith and the members at the CC of Mobile as well as our Sponsor, Anderson Ord Performance Apparel, for all their time and energy in making our first event the very best. We sincerely hope we can make it come back very soon bigger and better with less risk. Additionally, all Section and Chapter events scheduled in March have been cancelled. We will evaluate the April event schedule in a few weeks after we see what happens with the Virus.

At this point, the PGA Professional Championship and the PGA Championship are still scheduled to take place without changes. The PGA of America is going to be sending an email today that the MSR program will have an additional year added to the cycle. Take a deep breath, you now have an extra 12 months to get all your education completed by June 2022.

As for our Clubs, we ask that you be as prudent as possible. PGA Leadership recommended that you do your best to restrict large gathering functions that are a part of the golf operations and/or the food & beverage operations at your Club. Obviously, your Club officials are on top of the situation, we only ask that you be safe and if you have any questions feel free to reach out to any of us or the PGA National office.

Everyone have a safe weekend and say a few prayers that this situation ends quickly.


Message From Section Staff – Friday, March 13, 2020 1:13 PM:

As the ever-increasing risks associated with the Coronavirus COVID-19 continue to be widespread, the Alabama – NW Florida PGA Board and staff have come to a few key decisions as we move forward in the coming weeks.

Considering all the available information and in following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local / state health department officials, we have decided to postpone all events and tournaments through Friday, April 3, 2020. The postponement includes any gatherings for the purpose surrounding a PGA of America, Section or Chapter events. The PGA of America is recommending all PGA HOPE and PGA Jr. League gatherings be postponed as well.

Ultimately, the health and well-being of Members, Associates and communities across our Section led us to this decision. We hope these postponements put us in the best position to still host as many events as originally scheduled.

Additionally, the Alabama – NW Florida PGA Section staff is still deciding on best practices with regards to working remotely. With the guidance from leadership at both the National and Section levels, the City of Pelham and Ballantrae Golf Club, we will continue to provide updates on this front as well.

We are committed to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decisions as we move forward in the coming weeks. As the situation surrounding coronavirus COVID-19 continues to rapidly change, we will be placing our Members and Associates first when deciding the best next steps.

Thank you all for your continued support during these trying times. Please see below for our email addresses and cell phone numbers, as these may be the best ways to reach us in the next few weeks.

  • Bart Rottier – brottier@pgahq.com | (205) 915-2357
  • Wade Dockery – wdockery@pgahq.com | (205) 515-7031
  • Hayden Lewis, PGA – hlewis@pgahq.com | (214) 676-6800