2021 BMW GAP Team Matches COVID-19 Policy - The Golf Association of Philadelphia

2021 BMW GAP Team Matches
COVID-19 Policy

Please do not attend any BMW GAP Team Match if you do not feel well. You are not permitted to participate in the tournament if you have a fever or suffer from any respiratory illness.

Please read this notice carefully and make sure you are fully prepared before arriving at any venue for the Matches. Facility staff are expected to closely monitoring these policies and all tournament participants and other persons will be expected to follow them to ensure the safety of everyone on the property/course.

COVID-19 DISCLAIMER: Any participation in the BMW GAP Team Matches, use of the golf courses, a golf cart and facilities at the BMW GAP Team Matches, attendance at the BMW GAP Team Matches may expose you to COVID-19. Your decision to participate in the BMW GAP Team Matches, use of the golf course, a golf cart and facilities at the BMW GAP Team Matches, attend the BMW GAP Team Matches is made knowingly and voluntarily by you with full knowledge of this risk. Otherwise, your participation in the BMW GAP Team Matches, use of the golf courses, golf carts and facilities at BMW GAP Team Matches, attendance at the BMW GAP Team Matches shall constitute a waiver and release of GAP, its officers, host facilities, directors, employees, contractors, volunteers, staff and agents from any and all liability with respect to exposure of the COVID-19. If you disagree, do not participate in the BMW GAP Team Matches.

GAP has taken the following steps to limit the exposure of our players, staff and facilities to the COVID-19:

Facility Staff are expected to wear facemasks when around groups of people and speaking with any player directly. Hand sanitizer should be available at the starting tee and when finishing the match. Players are expected to supply their own facemasks and are expected to wear them when around groups of people except when playing in the competition.

Arrival/Warm-up/Practice Facilities – In order to ensure social distancing host facilities may limit the arrival time of players. If arrival times are limited, facilities must ensure the arrival time is limited for both home and away teams equally.

Locker Rooms – Host facilities may set its own policy on availability.

Scorecards/Tee/Pencils – Host facilities may choose whether to make these available at the starting tee. If available, we ask this be done in the safest way possible.

Ball Washers/Rakes/Hole Liners – Each individual facility may set their own policy regard the use of these items. If a facility chooses to not use rakes, the Association is requiring the use of the following local rule in regards to bunkers:

GAP will play lift, clean and place in all bunkers – 1-club length no closer to the hole. The ball must remain in the bunker. Players may not smooth the bunker before placing. GAP asks all players to smooth their damage in a bunker as much as possible after playing out of the bunker.

Caddies – Are permitted. Caddies are expected to wear a mask.  

Cart Policy – All players are expected to be willing to ride in a two-person cart. If facilities choose to allow single rider carts, they should make accommodations to ensure all players are provided the same opportunity for a cart.

Drinking Water – Host facilities may set its own policy on availability.  

Evacuation – Host facilities should have a plan in place for players should there be a weather delay. This should include the possible usage of shuttle carts at walking only facilities. In GAP tournaments, players must head directly to their cars to wait for the all clear: this is to avoid a large group of players congregated inside.  

Post Golf Meal – Host facilities are expected to make its own decisions regarding the availability of and safety of such, given the regulatory guidelines set for that location.

Player Planning – It is imperative for our tournament participants to have a plan for participation. Items needed for consideration include drinking water, facemasks, hand sanitizer, food, weather, sunblock, bug spray, temperature, equipment (golf gloves, balls, tees, ball markers, pencils and markers, towels), etc.

Scoring – Host facilities should plan to have a location where match results can be recorded in the safest way possible.

Spectators – Spectators are not permitted.

These items are the key components to safely conducting the BMW GAP Team Matches. As such, it is of vital importance to convey this information to your guests before their arrival. Golf Professionals and Team Captains must communicate this information well in advance of any match.