A message from President KD Davis regarding the Corvid 19 Issue

Sent to NTGCSA Membership March 25, 2020

Monday afternoon Judge Clay Jenkins addressed Dallas County and I assume many neighboring counties will follow suit if they have not already. In his Order he clarified what is pertinent to us as golf course managers. Highlighted is what pertains to us specifically.

Section 2.b.vi, the Order reads:
Essential Services Necessary to Maintain Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses.Trash and recycling collection, landscaping services, processing and disposal, mail, shipping and delivery services, building cleaning, maintenance and security, warehouse/distribution and fulfillment, storage for essential businesses, moving services for residential and essential businesses, funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences and Essential Businesses.

Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies needed to operate. To the extent possible, services shall be provided in compliance with Social Distancing Guidelines attached, including distancing of six feet and routine use of hand sanitizer.

We all fall under landscaping services, whether private or commercial. I have passed this order to several knowledgeable people in the City of Dallas, GCSAA, and numerous other contacts to ensure I was interpreting it correctly. I have been assured by all, both in the state of Texas and surrounding areas that we are.

In the past 24 hours, I have worked diligently along with North Texas GCSA board members and members of our allied North Texas Golf groups to get a template/formal letter requesting golf course maintenance to be included in essential activities. I have signatures of all these entities to support us and feel if the time comes and there is a need, we can immediately get this to all parties to disperse. Until then, the advice I have been given by those who have made a living in government operations is to not draw attention to something that is already covered as being essential, and simply operate under the guidelines mentioned in section 2 of the Ordinance above.

However, we must take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our staff and thus limit the transmission of the virus. Please check out the GCSAA website, which has several resources for you to draw upon and the Forums are active as well. Attached are a few of the links.

https://www.gcsaa.org/docs/default-source/resources/covid-19_gcsaa_v4.pdf?sfvrsn=2f7dfa3e_0

https://www.gcsaa.org/media/news/news-Items/2020/gcsaa-is-prepared-to-serve-you-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

This is an opportunity to be a creative bunch and lead our facilities through this. This pandemic will end at some point and we will all have some stories to share when we are able to gather as a group again. We as a Board are all excited at the thought of that day.

Remember, we are known as good stewards of land, budgets, water and other resources. Lets make sure that stewardship extends to the health of our teams as well.

Please contact me, or other members of the NTGCSA board with any questions you may have.

KD Davis, CGCS
Golf Course Superintendent
President – North Texas GCSA
Royal Oaks Country Club
7915 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75231

March and April Chapter Events

Important Information – Both of these events have been cancelled.

We are all aware of the important issues that required the chapter to make the very difficult decision to cancel our March and April events at Sherrill Park and Ridglea Country Club. The Board of Directors felt strongly that the health and safety of our members and their families was the highest priority. We hope everyone is understanding of the decision and any inconvenience it may have caused.

We also want to extend a very big thank you to our hosts at Sherrill Park and Ridglea for working with us on the schedule change. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to scheduling another event at your venue in the future.

Thank you to members Steve Greenhaw and Duane
Janssen CGCS the host Superintendents and your staff for inviting us to your beautiful golf courses.

And of course, thank you to our always generous sponsors who were ready to make it a great day! We look forward to getting back on track soon!