Member Central

March 16, 2021

Dear MCC Members,

As we approach the start of the golf season, the Golf Committee and Board of Directors have implemented the following policies:

Tee reservations will be implemented from the date that the course is open for play.

Given the ongoing COVID situation, at the start of the season, a tee time-only system (from course open to 6 PM via on-line reservations made
starting at 7:00 AM, 3 days in advance (ie the 2020 system) will be in place.  Tee time intervals will be 10 minutes.

When deemed safe and appropriate by the COVID Committee and based on the course access survey results, a "hybrid" system 
(tee times until 3 PM, open play thereafter) will be implemented.

Please note several tee time-related policies: 

Why is this policy being put in place?

Groups of foursomes playing back-to-back, particularly on weekends, is a long-standing part of the MCC golf
and social culture that is important to maintain.

In 2020, tee times were being shifted upon request for this purpose, with the Pro Shop staff having to contact members by email,
cell phone or text in order to attempt to accommodate these requests.

This policy merely formalizes that practice and saves time and effort of the Pro Shop staff.

Any shifts will be completed by the end of the day the tee reservation is made and members
can check the tee sheet to see their finalized reservation time.

It is expected that members will recognize the importance of keeping the tee sheet updated,
particularly with any player dropouts.

There will be an increased emphasis on maintaining pace of play.  On-course clocks (at least 3, set for a 4-hour round pace)
will be re-implemented and the Pro Shop staff will undertake increased marshalling frequency,
particularly during peak play days/times. 
It will be at the discretion of the Staff on how best to rectify the slow play, eg require the group to pick up their golf balls
and move to the next tee, let the group behind through, etc.

We wish you a very enjoyable golf season!

The MCC Golf Committee
Ian Taylor, Chair
golf@madisoncountryclub.org

March 9, 2021

Staging Area Renovation Logistics

When coming to the Golf Shop, please park behind the building and enter
from the south side entrance of the Golf Shop, near the first tee. 

Thank you,
Hank Maguire
House Chair
 

December 23, 2020

Temporary Greens & Tees

Dear Members,

We will be going back to temporary greens and tees as soon as all the snow has melted and the Course dries out. 
A follow up email will be sent at that time. 

Our Course routing will be the same as our normal sequence of play - starting on the first hole, crossing over Cherry Lane
and on to the 2nd. There will be red stakes that indicate were the temporary tees are located.

Greens and tees are closed throughout the winter for the following reasons:       

I am sure all of you have heard the argument that some clubs throughout the state remain open in the winter.  
While there are approximately 80 private clubs in Connecticut, I am only aware of one that remains open for winter play.  
There are approximately 75 public courses in Connecticut.  Some of these facilities stay open year-round
for increased revenue through the winter,
without concern of damage to the course the following spring.

Mike

December 21, 2020       

Dear MCC Members,

Thank you for participating in the Course Access Survey.  The full results, which were discussed at the Board of Directors meeting last week,
are viewableon the Member Central tab and Club News tab on the regular MCC website.

As you will recall, the survey consisted of 4 questions with two choices for each question. 
The votes for each choice were revealed when the “View All” buttons were selected.

In the survey output, “voters” equals the number of individual email addresses. 
We have a few members who share an email address, which is why you will see that in some cases
the number of votes slightly exceeds “voters”. 
That is also why you will see the phrase “Voter weighting is in effect” at the top of the survey results.

To summarize the results:

• About 68% of the membership completed the survey.

Of those voting:

• Approximately 78% preferred some form of tee reservation system.
• About 64% favored a hybrid system of tee times/open play. 
• Around 66% wanted a system that would be in effect all days of the week.
• Nearly 86% wish to use an on-line/app-based method.

Based on the results of the survey, a tee time reservation system will be implemented in 2021.  
The specific details of that system will be communicated before the start of the golf season
as those details may well be dictated
by any COVID protocols that will need to be considered at the time the Course opens.

With best regards,

Ian Taylor
Chair, MCC Golf Committee
golf@madisoncountryclub.org