Maridoe Amateur Championship Information and COVID-19 Protocols

Updated: November 28, 2020

 

The highest priority of Maridoe Golf Club(MGC) is protecting the health, safety, and well-being of all players, caddies, and staff when participating in the Maridoe Amateur Championship(MAC). The following are a set of policies and procedures that have been created for the championship operations. MGC created these policies and procedures to keep golf safe and follow guidelines set forth by local and state government officials.

 

It is the responsibility of players and staff to fully read, understand, and follow these policies and procedures set forth by Maridoe Golf Club. Not adhering to these policies and procedures may result in disqualification from the MAC.

 

COVID-19 Education & Protection

It is important for everyone attending the MAC to understand how COVID-19 spreads as well as ways to protect themselves. The following information is from the Governor’s Report to Open Texas. The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread:

  • Mainly from person to person;
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 fee); and
  • Via respiratory droplets when an infected person talks loudly, coughs or sneezes: these droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled.

 

It is recommended to follow health guidelines, including:

  • Wash your hands with soap often and for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Each championship participant will be provided with a 2oz. bottle of hand sanitizer at registration. Hand sanitation stations will be available throughout the golf course.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Practice social distancing of at least six feet of separation, avoid crowds, and limit physical contact.
  • Please bring your own face covering since it is now mandatory to use a simple cloth face covering in public in the State of Texas.

 

In accordance with the guidelines outlined above, MGC will implement the following guidelines and procedures:

  • Every player and your designated guest or caddie must agree to and sign a COVID Release Waiver. Any player, guest or caddie under the age of 18 years old, will need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. Failure to agree and sign will result in your withdrawal from the championship and denied access for guests.
  • Maridoe staff will wear a face covering when engaging with players, caddies, and spectators, specifically when managing the registration area, starting tee, and scoring area, sharing a golf cart, or providing a ruling.
  • Players, caddies, and guests are not required to wear a face covering at Maridoe except when entering the clubhouse, course evacuation and when social distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Maridoe staff will either wear gloves or have properly sanitized hands when engaging players, caddies, and guests at registration, starting tee and scoring area.
  • Maridoe staff will provide hand sanitizer stations for players, caddies, and guests at the registration area, starting tee, scoring area and throughout the golf course.
  • Maridoe asks regardless of a player’s, caddie’s or guest’s position around the clubhouse, at the practice facilities or on the golf course, they maintain 6 feet of distance between themselves and other players, caddies, and guests.
  • All players and caddies must refrain from touching other players and caddies in any way, including shaking hands prior to and following the round, high fives, fist bumps, etc. Also, players should not touch, handle or share each other’s equipment.

 

Self-Screening

All players, caddies, guests, and Maridoe staff are required to self-screen prior to being on-site each day. Maridoe staff will temperature check each morning prior to arriving on property in addition to the daily temperature screening at Maridoe. MGC asks that you please stay at home if you do not feel well and/or display any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit. If measuring under the armpit, a fever is constituted at 99.0 degrees or higher.
  • Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19.

*Note that public health guidance cannot anticipate every unique situation. Individuals should stay informed and take actions based on common sense and wise judgement.

 

COVID Testing Options in Carrollton, TX Area

If an individual should need or desire to take a COVID-19 test while at the Maridoe Amateur Championship, we have identified a couple of testing center options based upon your status as “Asymptomatic” (not showing symptoms) or “Symptomatic” (showing symptoms). Check with your insurance provider regarding COVID testing cost coverage.

  • Asymptomatic male individuals contact Total Men’s Primary Care Addison office at 630-909-9069 or reserve an appointment online at www.totalmens.com. This is the rapid Antibody test with results known in 15 minutes. Most major insurance providers will cover the cost of the test. Cash price is $199. Total Men’s will not test symptomatic individuals.
  • Symptomatic individuals or Asymptomatic female individuals contact Care Now Urgent Care – Carrollton at 972-939-9495 or book appointment online at https://www.carenow.com/patient-services/medical- tests/covid-19.dot

 

 

Communication Plan for Possible or Known COVID Infection

In the event MGC learns that any person in attendance at the MAC is infected, being tested for, or shows verified symptoms of COVID-19, MGC will notify all players, caddies, guests, staff, and club officials of the facts as known to MGC. Individual identification of the person potentially infected or exposed will not be divulged except when necessary and with that individual’s permission. If a player in the competition is the person potentially infected or exposed, then the players who played with that person will also be individually notified. Further, MGC will provide updates to all persons originally notified as to the outcome of any testing or other related information.

 

Traveling During COVID-19 Best Practices

  • Driving to Dallas/Carrollton is strongly recommended. If you are flying, take every precaution possible to protect yourself during the journey (mask, social distance, sanitization).
  • Even though hotels are doing their best to provide a sanitized and clean room, we recommend taking additional precautions to sanitize common touchpoints such as door handles, bathroom faucet, toilet handle, remote control, and light switches.
  • We strongly recommend limiting your movements while in Dallas/Carrollton. Simply travel from Hotel to Golf Course to Pick-up Food then Back to Hotel. Order “To Go” food for dinner and avoid bars or social gathering places.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a website listing best practices and recommendations to assist with travel during COVID-19. CDC Travel Recommendations Website

 

Hotel Information

We recommended two hotels for players, guests, and caddies to utilize during the championship. Both hotels have assured us of their COVID protocols to provide a sanitized room

 

Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton

1201 Raiford Road

Carrollton, TX, 75007

2.0 miles from Maridoe Golf Club

 

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Dallas Addison/Quorum Drive

5255 Quorum Dr

Addison, TX, 75001

2.0 miles from Maridoe Golf Club

 

Championship Registration

Championship registration is on Sunday, November 29 from 7:00am-5:00pm in the Maridoe Golf Shop. All players must register and pay the $300 tournament entry on Sunday, November 29.

 

Host Facility Information

Club Address

Maridoe Golf Club

2020 Kelly Blvd

Carrollton, TX 75006

Golf Shop: 972-416-6496

 

Caddie and Guest Policy

Each championship participant is encouraged to only bring:

  1. 1 Personal Caddie + 1 Family Member only

 

  • You will identify these individuals at registration. All guests and caddies must also agree to the COVID-19 release waiver, provide their contact information, and pass the temperature screening each day. Individuals that do not return an agreement or fail the daily temperature screening will not be permitted inside the gate at MGC.
  • Maridoe caddies are considered club employees and do not count against the guest policy limits. Contact Mark McClearin, Director of Caddie Operations at, mark@maridoe.com, for caddie availability ($125 per round).
  • Caddies will be required to wear a MGC issued caddie bib at the championship
  • Players will be required to walk at all times during the championship. A player may carry his own bag or provide his own non-motorized push cart.
  • We recommend personal caddies and player guests to be an immediate family member or live in the same household. It is also recommended that caddies 65 years of age or older, or caddies with preexisting health conditions carefully consider their participation in the event.

 

Temperature Screening

All persons entering Maridoe Golf Club are subject to a daily temperature check at the entrance gate issued by a medical professional. If a person has a temperature of 100.0 degrees or more, then that individual will be tested an additional 2 times within a 10-minute period. If 2 of 3 readings measure 100.0 or higher, this will result in a failed screening. That individual and anyone else in the vehicle with that person will not be allowed to enter the facility until negative COVID test result(s) is presented (see “COVID Testing Options” section).

 

Clubhouse Access

Clubhouse access is limited to business-only purposes such as utilizing restroom facilities, visiting the golf shop or for a course evacuation. Weather permitting, all food and beverage service will be outdoors. Masks will be required whenever entering the clubhouse at Maridoe.

 

Face Coverings and Masks

  • Players, caddies, and guests should bring their own face covering. Masks will be required for all persons entering the clubhouse at Maridoe and when receiving any shuttle rides whether for parking or an evacuation situation.
  • Maridoe staff will wear a face covering when engaging with players, caddies, and spectators, specifically when managing the registration area, starting tee, and scoring area, sharing a golf cart, or providing a ruling.

 

Bottled Water Coolers & Hydration

  • Bottled water coolers and stations will be located throughout the golf course.
  • We ask that you only take what is needed before reaching the next water station.
  • Best practice is to hand sanitize prior to reaching into a cooler followed by an additional hand sanitization treatment following the retrieval of bottled water.
  • Use the trash cans located at each tee for garbage.

 

Walking and Push Carts

Players, caddies, and guests must walk at all times during the championship. Due to limited cart availability and use for course evacuation, Disabled Spectator Carts will not be available. Those individuals will be able to view multiple holes from the clubhouse back lawn. Personal push carts are allowed. Maridoe Golf Club will have a limited number of push carts available for rent each day ($10/day).

 

Dining

  • Maridoe will provide complimentary breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner to participating players each championship day at MGC (see “Championship Schedule & Format” section for service times and location).
  • Players, player guests, and caddies may purchase food during Sunday’s practice round in the Maridoe Dining Room.
  • Prepared breakfast and lunch options will be available for purchase for player guests and caddies in the Maridoe Dining Room each day of the Championship.
  • We strongly recommend ordering “To Go” food and avoiding bars or social gathering places.

 

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones may only be used on the golf course for scoring, in case of an emergency, to call the golf shop in need of a ruling, view tournament leaderboard or as a distance measuring device. We ask that phones are set to silent while on club grounds. Silent communications (text, email) may be used inside buildings. Verbal communication (phone calls) must be outside buildings.

 

Parking

This will be a very busy week at MGC with the championship and normal club activities. Parking will be available on-site at MGC. However, we request for players, caddies, and family members to carpool as much as possible. A shuttle cart will transport players and guests from the auxiliary parking lot to the clubhouse roundabout and pick-up from the clubhouse roundabout to be returned to the auxiliary parking lot. Masks are required while riding a shuttle.

 

Dress Code

Appropriate golf attire must be worn. Slacks or Bermuda shorts. No cut-offs, no denim, no cargo pants, or cargo shorts. Men must wear shirts with collars and sleeves, always tucked in. Non-metal spikes only. Dress code applies to caddies and spectators. Please remove hats while inside the clubhouse.

 

Medical Assistance

First Aid station in the clubhouse from Monday-Sunday.

 

Championship Information

Championship Website

This website link is your main portal for starting times, scoring, daily hole locations and other championship information. www.2020maridoeamateurchampionship.golfgenius.com

 

Championship Office

Championship office will be in the clubhouse Conference Room. This area will be restricted to Maridoe staff and officials only.

 

Communications

MGC will communicate all applicable Player Information, Local Rules, and Hole Locations digitally prior to each championship round and will be available on the championship website.

In addition, one copy of these documents will be made available for players and caddies.

Players should confirm that all contact information in their USGA Tournament Management/Golf Genius profile is correct and unblock Golf Genius to receive text messages and emails regarding important championship information. Or contact Wayde Voss at wayde@maridoe.com to update your information.

Players currently unsubscribed from USGA Tournament Management/Golf Genius emails will be sent a

“Re-subscribe” email.

To re-subscribe to receive text messages, text "START" or "UNSTOP" to (888) 981-9394.

 

Arrival Time

It is recommended that players arrive at the golf course no earlier than one (1) hour prior to their starting time.

 

Practice Round

MGC will be open for one practice round on Sunday, November 29. Tee times are available from 7:30 am until 11:20 am. You will reserve your own practice round tee time using our online registration system.

 

Practice Facilities

  • All players and caddies are responsible for maintaining proper social distance when utilizing the practice facilities. Spectators are not permitted to be on or near the practice facilities.
  • Player guests are not permitted to be on or near the practice facilities.
  • Maridoe Golf Club will be unavailable for the practice rounds prior to Sunday, November 29.
  • All practice facilities including driving range, putting greens and short game area will open 1 hour prior to the first tee time each morning and close at dusk each afternoon during championship week.
  • Driving Range stations will be spaced at least 6 feet apart and balls will be set in sanitized baskets.
    • Access to the driving range is limited to no earlier than one hour prior to your assigned starting time. Check-in with the Maridoe staff member managing the range for a stall assignment.
  • Putting Green and Short Game Area
    • Maintain social distancing while utilizing these areas.

 

Course Information

Championship Yardage: 7287 yards

Course Architect: Steve Smyers

Course Turfgrass: Tees/Fairways (Northbridge Bermuda); Putting Greens (Champion Bermuda)

Owner: Albert D. Huddleston

Director of Golf: Marc Wielgosz

Course Superintendent: Tanner Westbrook

 

Starting Times

Starting times for November 30 will be available online. Check the tournament website at www.2020maridoeamateurchampionship.golfgenius.com and a link will be sent to each player via text message.

 

Flagsticks, Holes and Rakes

  • (Subject to Change) Players and caddies may touch and remove the flagstick and use bunker rakes at their discretion.
  • Hole insert devices such as a pool noodle or PVC will not be in the hole to alleviate any potential external issues with a ball being holed.
  • If a bunker rake is not used, please smooth the disturbed area as neatly as possible.

 

Scorecards & Live Scoring

  • Scorecards will be distributed to each player on the starting tee by the MGC starter utilizing appropriate sanitization protocols.
  • Each player will receive the scorecard of another player in the group assigning the marker. Scorecards will not be signed or exchanged between players.
  • Scorecards are unofficial and to be used as an additional method for player and marker scorekeeping responsibilities.
  • Due to limited volunteers and to assist with Live Scoring, we ask for one person in each group to volunteer (player, caddie, or guest) to enter scores into the USGA Tournament Management/Golf Genius app. App is a free download from the App Store or Google Play. A Group GGID will be printed on the bottom right of the scorecard to login and access the score entry interface.

 

Scoring Area

  • (Subject to Change) Once the round is completed, players must proceed to the scoring area inside the clubhouse (follow signage to 19th Hole). Players must wear their mask to enter the scoring area.
  • Tables and chairs will not be available in the scoring area.
  • Only one (1) group will be allowed into the scoring area at a time and all players will maintain 6 feet of distance between them.
  • TV monitor will display the hole-by-hole scores already entered in the system.
  • Verbally confirm scores with your marker and then read off the scores to the scoring official. Scoring official will read them back to you to confirm they are correct. If the scores are correct, you will say the scores are correct and that will certify the scorecard.
  • A scorecard will be considered “returned” once the player and marker have verbally confirmed their scores with the MGC scoring official and exits the scoring area.
  • Players, caddies, and guests are encouraged to use the championship website to view tournament Results and will be sent via email and/or text daily.

 

Severe Weather Plan

MGC will alert players with any tournament delays or schedule changes.

 

Standard weather alerts will remain in place during play:

  • One long air horn blast = Discontinue play immediately (dangerous situation/cannot finish hole)
  • Three short air horn blasts = Discontinue play ASAP (non-dangerous situation/can finish hole if started)
  • Two short air horn blasts = Resume play

*Note: Weather delays will be signaled using air horns blown by MGC followed by verbal notification and assistance to nearest evacuation site. Disregard any horns signaled from area businesses.

  • During a stoppage of play, please follow the evacuation plan provided to you on the Local Rules sheet and on the championship website. Masks must be worn when using shuttle carts during a course evacuation.
  • Due to social distancing guidelines and likely time constraints, practice may not be allowed before the resumption of play.

 

Championship Schedule & Format

Sunday, November 29

7:00am-5:00pm: Player Registration at clubhouse

7:00am-6:30pm: Food service available on the back patio. A la carte menu

7:30am-11:20am: Practice rounds

Monday, November 30

Round 1: Tee times begin at 7:30am & 11:10am off #1 & #10 tee.

6:30am -9:30am: Hosted player breakfast on the back patio.

11:00am - 3:00pm: Hosted player lunch on the back patio.

4:00pm – 7:00pm: Hosted player dinner on the back patio.

 

Tuesday, December 1

Round 2: Tee times begin at 7:30am & 11:10am off #1 & #10 tee.

6:30am -9:30am: Hosted player breakfast on the back patio.

11:00am - 3:00pm: Hosted player lunch on the back patio.

4:00pm – 7:00pm: Hosted player dinner on the back patio.

 

Wednesday, December 2

Round 3: Tee times begin at 7:30am & 11:10am off #1 & #10 tee.

6:30am -9:30am: Hosted player breakfast on back patio

11:00am - 3:00pm: Hosted player lunch on the back patio.

4:00pm – 7:00pm: Hosted player dinner on the back patio.

Field cut to top 64

 

Thursday, December 3

Round of 64 Matches: Tee times begin at 7:30am off #1 & #10 tee.

6:30am - 9:00am: Hosted player breakfast on the back patio.

11:30am -4:00pm: Hosted player lunch on the back patio.

 

Friday, December 4

Round of 32 Matches: Tee times begin at 7:30am off #1 & #10 tee.

6:30am - 9:00am: Hosted player breakfast on the back patio.

11:30am - 1:00pm: Hosted player lunch on the back patio.

Round of 16 Matches: Tee times begin at 12:30pm off #1 & #10 tee.

6:00pm – 8:00pm: Hosted player dinner on the back patio.

 

 

Saturday, December 5

Quarterfinal Matches: Tee times begin at 8:00am off #1 tee.

6:30am – 8:30am: Hosted player breakfast on the back patio.

11:30am – 1:00pm: Hosted player lunch on the back patio.

Semifinal Matches: Tee times begin at 12:50pm off #1 tee.

6:00pm – 8:00pm: Hosted player dinner on the back patio.

 

Sunday, December 6

Finals Match: Tee time begins at 8:00am off #1 tee.

6:30am - 8:00am: Hosted player breakfast on the back patio.

 

Format

  • The field will be cut to the low 64 players and ties after 54 holes.
  • The low 64 players will play a match play bracket format. (Playoff will determine low 64 if there is a tie)
  • The Championship match will be a continuous 36-hole match.
  • In the event of a tie for the Championship, a “sudden death” hole-by-hole play-off will be held immediately following play. The play-off holes and their order of play will be determined by the MGC.
  • Initial groupings will be the same for the first 2 rounds.

 

 

Remember our best defense during these times is to wear a mask, social distance and sanitize/wash your hands frequently.