Phased-in Approach Gradually Loosen Social Distancing
No Carts or Caddies at First, Walking Only
The Alabama Golf Association has revised its summer championship schedule and implemented safety measures to protect competitors, volunteers, staff and spectators from COVID-19.
Based on the latest “phased re-opening” recommendations from state and federal officials while still following social distancing and sanitation guidelines, the Alabama Golf Association will implement a similar approach for AGA competitions this summer, it said.
The phased approach will be subject to change, the AGA said.
A four-phase program has been developed that begins with “Phase 1,” and the next event will conducted under “Phase 2” rules, if conditions warrant and so on until “Phase 4” is reached – which the AGA said will be the new normal.
If conditions improve faster than the scheduled phased approach, the rules for an event could be relaxed. If conditions worsen, an event could be conducted under stricter rules than originally planned, the AGA said.
The four event phases will be:
- Phase 1 Event – walking only, no caddies, no carts (including spectators), limited field
- Phase 2 Event – introduce one cart per player, no caddies, limited field
- Phase 3 Event – introduce caddies, one cart per player (if possible), limited field
- Phase 4 Event – “New Normal” with caddies, shared golf carts, full field
The 104th Alabama State Amateur Championship, originally scheduled, for June 10-13 has been postponed until July 29-August 1 at Saugahatchee Country Club in Auburn.
Due to this date change, the Alabama State Match Play and Senior Match Play Championships at the Auburn University Club from July 30-August 2 have been canceled, the AGA said.
State Amateur sectional qualifying is canceled with full refunds provided to those entrants. Exempt players already registered remain in the championship field. Updated State Amateur registration form, exemptions and field selection process will be available by the new registration opening date of May 11.
Here’s the updated Summer 2020 AGA Championship Schedule:
Phase 1 Events
June 8-9: 1st Alabama Girls State 13 & Under Championship, Valley Hill Country Club, Huntsville
June 8-10: 57th Alabama Girls State Junior Championship, Valley Hill Country Club, Huntsville
*Registration opens on May 4
Phase 2 Events (If possible)
June 24-25: 2nd Alabama Women’s State Super-Senior Championship, Timberline Golf Club, Calera
June 24-26: 30th Alabama Women’s Stroke Play Championship, Timberline Golf Club, Calera
June 24-26 : 47th Alabama Women’s State Senior Amateur Championship, Timberline Golf Club, Calera
*Registration opens on May 4
Phase 3 Events (If possible)
July 7-9: 88th Alabama Women’s State Amateur Championship, Huntsville Country Club, Huntsville
July 7-9: 2nd Alabama Women’s State Senior Match Play Championship, Huntsville Country Club, Huntsville
*Registration opens on May 11
Phase 4 Events (If possible)
July 21-22: 1st Alabama Boys State 13 & Under Championship, Goose Pond Colony, Scottsboro
July 21-23: 75th Alabama Boys State Junior Championship, Goose Pond Colony, Scottsboro
*Registration opens on May 18
July 22-23: 13th Alabama Women’s State Four-Ball Championship, Lakewood Golf Club, Point Clear
July 22-23: 2nd Alabama Women’s State Senior Four-Ball Championship, Lakewood Golf Club, Point Clear
*Registration opens on June 1
July 27: 3rd Alabama State Parent-Child Championship, Robert Trail Jones Oxmoor Valley, Birmingham
*Registration opens on May 18
July 29-Aug. 1: 104th Alabama State Amateur Championship, Saugahatchee Country Club, Auburn
*Registration opens on May 11
The dates for remaining AGA championships in the fall remain as scheduled.
AGA said it is exploring options to reschedule the Alabama State Senior Amateur, State Super-Senior Amateur and State Four-Ball Championships in the fall and early winter.
By Alabama Golf News Staff
Featured image: Alabama Golf Association
