Quick Covid-19 Update

With such a fluid time we have across the Metroplex, I wanted to send out a note pertaining only to golf course maintenance activities. With so many different tolerances across North Texas pertaining to Playing Golf across the Metroplex, it would be impossible to address. For the time being, our focus is simply on course management. 

Below is the most recent update from the Office of Judge Clay Jenkins and note that not much has changed for us as course managers. Rest assured we can still perform our necessary tasks- with or without players.

Section 2.b.x of the “Safer at Home” Order from County Judge Clay Jenkins (Dated 4-8-2020) reads:

x. Critical Trades. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, janitors, lawn care services, pool cleaners, maintenance and security, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences, Essential Businesses, Essential Government Functions, and Critical Infrastructure. Critical Trade does not include discretionary maintenance or improvements. Union representatives and their staff for the purpose of performing critical labor union functions, including the maintenance of health and welfare funds and checking on the well-being and safety of members.

This is a challenging time with confusing and conflicting information at just about every turn. It is comforting to be considered “essential” to the golf industry, even if that means we adjust course or adapt strategies daily. The important task for us as course managers is to sharpen our focus and continue to be the “Foundation” to our respective facilities. This hardship will pass, they always do.

Please reach out to me or any of your North Texas GCSA Board of Directors if there is any way we can help.

KD Davis, CGCS

Golf Course Superintendent

President – North Texas GCSA

Royal Oaks Country Club

7915 Greenville AvenueDallas, Texas 75231

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