4/12/2020
To: MPGA Executive Committee, Members and Member Clubs
RE: Covid-19
On Wednesday, 4/8/2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz executed the following Executive Order that effects Minnesota golf:
Extending Stay at Home Order and Temporary Closure of Bars, Restaurants, and Other Places of Public Accommodation
Within order 20-33 Section 1, it extends the stay at home mandate until 11:59 pm on May 3, 2020.
In section 6.jj – Minimum Basic Operations…preserve the condition of a business’s or other organization’s facilities. This allows golf courses to provide maintenance on the course.
This order can be found on the official website listing all the governor’s orders.
https://mn.gov/governor/news/executiveorders.jsp
The Executive Committee met on 4/11/2020 to discuss the current state of golf in Minnesota and the direct impact on MPGA upcoming events. Here are the results of this meeting:
Match Play Team
20 Man, 16 Man, 12 Man event scheduled for 5/3/2020 has been cancelled. We will look at the current match structure for possible modifications to matches if needed and will post any potential updates to that schedule.
Senior 8 Man – we are not making any changes to the first event scheduled on 5/5/2020 at this time.
Events
4 Ball Championship – Monticello Country Club – At this time, we are not changing this event. There are 3 possible scenarios for this event that we will discuss further in our next meeting on 4/25/2020.
Option 1 - The Event is Played - It is our hope that on 5/4/2020, the stay at home order and mandated business closures will be lifted at least for playing golf.
Option 2 – The Event is Cancelled – If the order is further extended or restrictions implemented make it impossible for us to play a 2-man team event and we are not able to find an alternate date that will work.
Option 3 – The Event is Rescheduled - If the order is further extended and restrictions implemented make it possible for us to play with 2-man teams and we can find an alternate date that will work.
Health and Safety Committee
This newly formed committee will provide Health and Safety procedures for all participants, workers and attendees based on the current requirements in effect on the dates of the event. They will establish a basic outline of procedures and modify accordingly.
Minnesota Coalition for Golf
We received an update on the efforts of this coalition in working with Governor Walz to allow golf to be played in Minnesota. The coalition members include the MGA and other allied associations. We applaud their efforts on the behalf of all golfers and facilities.
We encourage all members to register for events that they are interested in participating in especially the upcoming 4 Ball as this will help us plan accordingly. If conditions mandate that the event be postponed and you are not able to make the new date work or if the event is cancelled, you will be provided a full refund for your participation fee if we are notified within the refund guidelines provided with the notice.
We are also asking that those member clubs that have not sent in their dues to please do so. The deadline to ensure that your members can participate in the tournaments and team match play is May 1, 2020.
Thank you for your patience and understanding from the entire MPGA Executive Committee.
Sincerely,
Glen Frick
President
Minnesota Public Golf Association