Mass Golf and the Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations (AMGO) serve as advocates and a resource for the golf industry in Massachusetts

As of 11:18am this morning, Mark Fuller, Undersecretary of Business Growth at Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development at Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided guidance regarding landscaping (i.e. golf course maintenance as described in AMGO’s letter sent on 3/24/20) and confirmed via email that the Governor’s Administration will be adding it to the COVID-19 Essential Service FAQ.
 
"In short, landscaping (i.e. golf course maintenance) can continue as an essential service but all businesses and companies involved in landscaping should adhere to social distancing protocols for workers and customers in accordance with guidance from the Department of Public Health."

AMGO was formed as an industry wide collaborative effort to assist the golf community and does not have any authority over golf course or facility operations in the Commonwealth.

Some member may live and work, and potentially have a great relationship with local civic leaders in their towns.  Others may feel comfortable reaching out to the town Department of Health on their own.  For those who don’t, attached is sample outreach they can use, or simply to guide them in asking for the clearance to continue to maintain their golf courses.

Using a document, or at least getting approval in writing, will serve several purposes.  First, should our members come under scrutiny, they are armed with written proof .  Second, in a worst case scenario where the department of health in one town denies this reasonable request, our members could reach out to peers for copies of written documentation from other towns as leverage to alter the decision.

Using this document is NOT a requirement, simply a tool for our members to use if needed.

Click here for document

Kevin F. Doyle |Field Staff-Northeast Region
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
1421 Research Park Drive | Lawrence, KS  66049
800.472.7878, ext. 3636 | 785.832.3636 Direct | 816.807.3103
kdoyle@gcsaa.org

Mass Golf and the Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations (AMGO) serve as advocates and a resource for the golf industry in Massachusetts

Further clarification on the Governor's Executive Orders from Bob Antia, ESF-5 Business and Industry Team Lead at Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

⦁    Golf courses and facilities are not on the essential services list and must shut down operations. This includes golf operations staff as well as golfers not being allowed to play golf.

⦁    Golf courses and facilities wishing to continue maintenance during the shutdown period should contact their local Health Department and/or local Government Officials for approvals. A listing of contacts for local health departments can be found through the link below.

Directory of local health departments

March 23 Executive Order

Essential Services List

AMGO was formed as an industry wide collaborative effort to assist the golf community and does not have any authority over golf course or facility operations in the Commonwealth.

The GCSACC Board of Directors is coordinating with the Allied Golf Associations in Massachusetts on an aggressive campaign to highlight the need for continuing maintenance at our facilities. This situation is changing rapidly and information is coming through all channels of our associations, and it is sometimes contradictory.

GCSAA Northeast Field Staff Representative Kevin Doyle is working with all the associations to promote our needs to the public officials who can influence this decision. There are a few states in the northeast that are allowing for "Minimal Maintenance" practices on their courses. Kevin has crafted a letter outlining our needs for exemption. We are asking our association members to forward this letter to anyone who could help us.

Click here to view letter

Thank you,
David Stott, GCSACC President

I want to also remind you all that GCSAA has a webpage devoted to COVID-19 Pandemic Resources which is located here:

https://www.gcsaa.org/resources/covid-19-pandemic-resources

Kevin F. Doyle |Field Staff-Northeast Region
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
1421 Research Park Drive | Lawrence, KS  66049
800.472.7878, ext. 3636 | 785.832.3636 Direct | 816.807.3103
kdoyle@gcsaa.org

Dear Mr. Buckley and Mr. Fuller,

On behalf of The Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations, I would respectfully request that the attached letter be shared and presented to Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito.

With any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you very much for your consideration and support.

Click here for letter

Be well and safe.

Regards,
Jesse

Jesse Menachem
Executive Director/CEO
Mass Golf
300 Arnold Palmer Blvd
Norton, MA 02766
P: 774.430.9102
C: 508.272.5550
E: jmenachem@massgolf.org
W: MassGolf.org