August 5, 2008

Notice to Membership

Re: Severe Weather at Ellington Ridge

Dear Members,

The Golf Shop Staff is charged with the arduous task of deciding when, or if, to bring players off the golf course when thunderstorms approach.  When storms are approaching, the safety of the players on the golf course quickly becomes the staff’s top priority. 

The commitment by the staff to keep members safe is paramount and I have schooled my staff over the detailed procedures to be employed when lightning is in the area.  We have some tools available to us such as The Weather Channel, Weather.com, and a handheld lightning detector, but when it comes time to make a decision on suspending play, the staff makes a final judgment call.    

The decision to sound the warning signal is a culmination of a review of several information sources, but, in reality, it’s an educated guess, which by its nature cannot always be timely or completely accurate. 

Therefore, it is our recommendation that if you feel uncomfortable with the weather situation, please get to safety.  Waiting for the warning signal does not make sense when you have determined that you are not in a safe environment.  Rule 6-8 in the USGA Rule of Golf addresses this by saying “The player must not discontinue play unless: He/she believes there is danger from lightning”

Let’s hope for clear skies for the remainder of the golf season.

Tony Rowe