RDGA NEWS - Waiting is the Hardest Part
April 2020
Greetings!
Well - another month has passed since our last newsletter - and once again, so much has happened.

Since our last newsletter, golfers throughout New York were first given the green light to play golf while practicing strict Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety measures and "social distancing" - only to have that door shut by a follow up measure issued by New York State two weeks later that closed all golf courses statewide until further notice.

As Tom Petty once sang, "the waiting is the hardest part." As golfers, we were "teased" by an early start to spring - with courses throughout the Rochester area recording near record rounds played - until the closure announcement was issued on April 9.

So now, golfers in Rochester and throughout the State are playing a waiting game - waiting for the word that golf courses may once again open but mindful that the reason they are not open is due to one of the worst public health crises in our country's history.

The good news, of course, is that our quarantining and time away from golf will end, eventually, and today, April 15 , would have been the unofficial "opening day" of golf season with the beginning of local GHIN score posting for 2020. This date serves as a good reminder - that even though we can't get out and play right now, we can still get ready for when we can return to the golf course.

So while you are "sheltering" at home, take advantage of the time you have to make sure that your GHIN Handicap is active. If you are a member of one of the many RDGA Member Clubs throughout the area, make sure that your membership is up to date for 2020. If you are not a member of an RDGA Member Club, now is the perfect time to join or renew your membership in the RDGA eClub .

Membership in the RDGA eClub includes an active GHIN Handicap - and so much more. From being eligible to enter RDGA Tournaments, to receiving timely updates and newsletters (such as this one), being an RDGA Member has many benefits - but most importantly, it helps the local golf community and the RDGA's efforts to grow the game and support junior golf programs in the area.

CLICK HERE for more information about
getting a GHIN Handicap through the RDGA.

With any luck - as well as continued social distancing and adherence to health and safety measures - our "waiting game" will soon be over and we can all return to the golf course.

Sincerely,
Dave Eaton
RDGA Assistant Executive Director
USGA TM Services Manager
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
RDGA News & Updates - YOUR Guide to What's Happening Now!
COVID-19 UPDATE:   The RDGA is monitoring the current health crisis on a daily basis with an eye towards the health and safety of our Members and Member Clubs. At present, we have NOT postponed or canceled any of our 2020 tournaments and registration for all RDGA events remains OPEN. If and when this changes, we will inform everyone as quickly as possible. Please note that if an RDGA Tournament in which you are registered is postponed or canceled, you will always have the option to receive a full refund.
COVID-19 Concerns Prompt
NYS to Close All Golf Courses
O n April 9, by order of New York State Executive Order 202.6, ALL GOLF COURSES IN NYS were directed to be closed until further notice . Under the guidelines published by the Empire State Development office, golf courses are allowed to continue offering curbside takeout service from their restaurants. Landscaping for maintainance purposes only is allowed, although not specifically mentioned for golf courses.
Activate Your GHIN Handicap Now,
Be Ready for Return to Golf Courses
Although golf courses throughout New York State are currently closed due to concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak, NOW is a good time for local golfers to make sure that their GHIN Handicap is active for the 2020 season - and be ready for when golf courses are set to be re-opened. Golfers can obtain or renew their GHIN Handicap by joining an RDGA Member Club or the RDGA eClub.
Exempt Players: Be Sure to Reserve
Your Place in RDGA Championships
A reminder to players with exemptions and invitations to the RDGA Match Play and RDGA District Championships: deadlines for entering these Championships may be extended or changed due to the COVID-19 outbreak - however, you still need to register for these events in order to reserve your place in the starting field. Please note that registered players will always have the option to receive a full refund of their entry fees if events are canceled or postponed.
RDGA Junior Membership Offers
Many Benefits Throughout the Year
Junior golfers throughout Rochester have a perfect opportunity once again to enjoy some great golf courses at a fraction of the normal greens fee if they sign up for the 2020 RDGA Junior Membership . For just $20 for the year, juniors can get an official GHIN Handicap, play 9 courses in the Rochester area for $5 per round (with more to come), as well as more than 1,200 courses across the country - all as part of the national Youth On Course program. And the benefits don't stop there...
80th Monroe Invitational
Postponed Until 2021
The Monroe Invitational, one of the longest running amateur tournaments in the United States, has been canceled for 2020 because of the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Since it began, the only other time the tournament was not held was during World War II. The 80th Monroe Invitational  will now be held in 2021 at Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford.
USGA Moves 2020 U.S. Open,
Women's Open to Fall Dates
Concerns over COVID-19 has forced the USGA to postpone or cancel a number of 2020 championships. On April 6 it was announced that dates for the U.S. Women’s Open at Champions GC and the U.S. Open at Winged Foot GC have been changed. The 2020 U.S. Open will now be held September 17 to 20; the 2020 U.S. Women's Open will be held December 10-13.
Volunteer for the First
Tee of WNY in 2020!

The First Tee of WNY is looking for committed  Coaches and Volunteers  to lead instructional programs for the 2020 Summer sessions.

CLICK HERE for more info on how to volunteer!
Did You Know That You Can Find Past Issues of RDGA News on Our Website?

If you are looking for past issues of the RDGA News, you can now find them all in one place - on the RDGA website!

CLICK HERE to find past issues.

Follow Rochester's newest PGA Tour member
with the Dominic Bozzelli PGA Tour Tracker -
brought to you by the RDGA
and Power Management of Victor!


Click on the image, left, to go to the PGA Tour
web page featuring Dominic's accomplishments
throughout the 2019-20 season.
IMPORTANT DATES:


JANUARY 6, 2020:

FEBRUARY 1, 2020:

APRIL 9, 2020:
NYS COVID-19 guidelines close all golf courses.

APRIL 15, 2020:

MAY 9, 2020:

MAY 16, 2020:
RDGA Two Person Scramble at Wayne Hills CC.
It's Here!

A new edition of Golf Week is ready to read.
 
In this week's issue:

What we're missing without the Masters ... More than half of U.S. courses closed - including New York State ... Golf's majors rescheduled for the Fall ... and two triumphant Masters moments.  PLUS: Monroe Invitational postpones 80th annual tournament until 2021.

Read these stories and more at  golfweekrochester.com .
Support our RDGA Corporate Partners:
All our RDGA Corporate Partners are proud to support the RDGA and its mission as an Allied Golf Association of the USGA. The primary responsibility of the RDGA lies in the delivery of USGA Core Products and Services to all our member clubs and nearly 13,000 members. Click below for more about our Corporate Partners - please support them and help them support the RDGA!
Rochester District Golf Association
2024 West Henrietta Rd, Suite 5H | Rochester, NY 14623
 
(585) 292-5950