BONANZA UPDATE: 09/05/2020 – OFFICIALLY OPEN, ALL CERTIFICATES REQUIRED TO TRADE OBTAINED
CADDIE UPDATE – Take a look what our Members are doing to support the caddies during the tough times that COVID-19 has brought
BONANZA UPDATE: 29/04/2020 – GOLF COURSE OFFICIALLY OPEN, ALL CERTIFICATES REQUIRED TO TRADE OBTAINED
BONANZA UPDATE: 28/04/2020 – COUNCIL INSPECTION
Dear Members,
Following a meeting with the Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development yesterday, The Zambian Golf Union has sent updated details on the guidelines and certificates which are required in order for golf courses to trade.
All courses now require a certificate which confirms their preparedness for COVID-19. We have arranged for officials from the Chongwe City council to conduct an inspection of Bonanza Golf Course tomorrow morning. With our proactive measures in place regarding COVID-19, we are confident our application will be successful.
PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER that until such time as we receive this certificate Bonanza Golf Course will be closed.
We will be in touch as soon as there are any developments on the matter.
Kind regards,
Bonanza Management
BONANZA UPDATE: 24/04/2020 – SOFT OPENING OF BONANZA GOLF COURSE
Dear Members,
As you may be aware, his Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu addressed the Nation this afternoon and sports such as golf and tennis may once again be played.
This comes as a HUGE relief to us all – we have missed you!
Please see the important guidelines attached which may be updated at any time
Hope to see you on the fairways soon.
Kind regards,
Bonanza Management
BONANZA UPDATE: 04/04/2020 – GOLF BAN REINSTATED
Dear Member’s and Visitors,
Please note that the Zambian Golf Union has been instructed by authorities to ensure that all golf courses be closed.
This is with immediate effect, duration to be confirmed. We will communicate any further developments on the matter.
Kind regards,
Bonanza Management
BONANZA UPDATE: 02/04/2020 – UPDATE: GOLF BAN OFFICIALLY LIFTED
Dear Members,
We have received notification from the Zambian Golf Union that the GOLF BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED. In the original letter from the Union banning golf, emphasis was placed on the fact that the golfing demographic is one which travels. Concerns of caddies contracting the virus were very real and the risk of this spreading to the compounds could end up with disastrous results.
As a result of the above, we are placing additional precautions and procedures in place:
- If you have traveled abroad and have not completed the mandatory 14 day quarantine period you are breaking the law. This is exactly what initiated the ban of golf in the first place and rightly so. We are taking this very seriously. Should you know of anyone who may be ignoring this you are welcome to report them to us.
- Caddies will not be allowed to be used for the next 12 days, however we will be allowing spotters who are only to search for balls and give lines on the greens. They will not be
allowed to carry bags, pass clubs or clean golf balls (no contact with any equipment or the player).
- We will be playing CUP UP golf. The cup will be raised half an inch and any ball that touches the cup is classified as holed. No return must be entered as your score during
this period. It is expected that players take due care when “holing out” under this interim rule i.e. not “bashing” a ball at a hole liner/cup.
- While this COVID-19 Rule, regarding the Hole or CUP UP, is in effect a “hole-in-one” will not be official but it will count for scoring purposes.
- Takeaway pizza and beverages will be served as per communication sent on 26 March
- PLEASE NOTE, under no circumstance may players bring their own food or drink to the facility. This could be misconstrued by the Health Ministry should they visit us and have
serious ramifications.
- Tables and chairs have been removed from the patio in order to ensure players do not gather socially before and after their round.
- We have decided to remove all rakes from bunkers. When a player’s ball lies in a bunker, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball and playing from the relief area. Reference Point: Spot of the original ball. Size of the Relief Area: One club length but must not be closer to the hole and must remain in the bunker.
Let us look after each other by leading by example, following the guidelines closely
DOWNLOAD UPDATE
BONANZA UPDATE: 31/03/2020 – ZGU GOLF BAN UPDATE
Dear Member’s,
As many of you may know, the Zambian Golf Union issued a letter to all golf clubs affiliated to it on Sunday 29 March, stating that all forms of golf should be suspended for 14 days upon which the ban would be reviewed.
The ban affects all clubs differently both in scope and severity, with caddies and their families immediately affected and most hard hit right now.
For this reason and others, an urgent meeting was called for and held at Lusaka Golf Course today with Captains of Lusaka based Clubs, together with the Vice President South of the Zambian Golf Union. In summary, all clubs have appealed for a review of the ban and have requested to meet with the Minister of Sport tomorrow to confirm the proactive measures golf courses have put in place in order to comply with the recent legislation passed, as well as further precautionary measures we wish to implement.
At this stage, Bonanza Golf Course is closed, however we will be in communication with you as soon as possible regarding any changes.
As mentioned, our caddies are the hardest hit at this time and the support from Members wishing to assist has been overwhelming, thank you!
Those wanting to make a contribution can EFT funds to the account details below before the close of business tomorrow (1 April 2020). We will then purchase maize packs to distribute to caddies. Please use your Member number followed by the word ‘donation’ as proof of payment reference (example: 75 – donation). Any donation amount will be accepted.
ACCOUNT NAME: Protea Leisure Limited
BANK: Stanbic Bank
BRANCH: Lusaka Main
BRANCH CODE: 04002
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 9130000734962
ACCOUNT TYPE: CURRENT
Kind regards,
Charles Jerrard
Bonanza Golf Course – Director of Golf
BONANZA UPDATE: 26/03/2020
Dear Bonanza Members and Guests,
Following the President’s address to the Nation yesterday, we have made updates to our operating guidelines which were published on 18 March in order to comply with legislation. Please note the following:
- Due to the legislation passed yesterday, the restaurant will be serving takeaway pizza only.
- All pizza’s are served as takeaways, if you do opt to eat at Bonanza, please do so following the social distancing guidelines as per 18 March communication.
- Cool drinks, tea, coffee, beer and wine can be purchased from the pro shop on a takeaway basis – no spirits will be sold.
- The pro shop will operate from 06:00 to 18:00. The pizza takeaway service will operate from 11:00 to 19:00.
- The K2 Challenge Cup, Masterpower Match Play tournament and Trophy events have created great comerdary between Members and some exciting competition. However it would not be fair on those practising self-isolation to be excluded, especially in the order of merit scenario’s. These events are suspended until further notice.
- Normal Saturday competitions and Super 7 par 3 competitions will continue. As per 18 March guidelines, no prize giving will take place.
- Sanitization of all clubhouse areas, the caddy area and golf carts continue to be intense and frequent.
No doubt, we are operating in a time which is difficult for all. Once again we must emphasize that Bonanza is here to support you. Our facility provides you with a wide open, low-risk space in which to relieve some of the stress during this testing time. Apart from golf, we will be publishing 3 different walking routes should you and your family wish to break away and get some exercise with fresh air and scenic views.
As previously mentioned, the circumstances are very dynamic and we will keep you updated with any further developments.
Keep safe, keep healthy.
Kind regards,
Charles Jerrard,
Director of Golf
BONANZA UPDATE: 18/03/2020
Dear Bonanza Members and Guests,
Regarding the latest press release from the Zambian Ministry of Health, which details issues surrounding COVID-19, Bonanza Golf Course is taking precautions as per the guidelines set out. We wish to reassure you that our Member and Guests well-being and safety is our utmost priority, now and always.
How does COVID-19 affect golfers? According to Infectious Disease Specialist Dr Kelly Cawutt, “Being in a wide-open, outdoor space is the least at-risk scenario. Precaution is the name of the game. It’s very reasonable to play if you are smart about it and follow the proper guidance.” While being on course presents low risks of infection, pre and post round precautions are now ESSENTIAL and required. We all need to be conscious of these precautions and make the necessary adjustments.
- Mass public gatherings are prohibited, however due the fact that we have a maximum of 8 people per time slot (includes caddies) which are spaced 10 minutes apart, a round of golf continues as per normal with some general guidelines listed below. HOWEVER no prize giving ceremony’s / gatherings are to take place after the round and the terrace table layout has been arranged to encourage social distancing.
- Additional hand sanitation stations have been placed at reception, the pro shop, caddy area and restaurant areas. Further to this, all these areas are being sanitized at increased frequency.
- Golf carts will be sanitized before and after each use
- Rental sets will be sanitized before and after each use
- Caddies are required to sanitize prior to taking any bag
- Social distancing should be practiced, handshakes to be avoided
- Leave the flag in the hole – that way it does not need to be touched
- Keep hand sanitizer in your golf bag, use regularly
- Bonanza staff and caddies are undergoing continuous training with regard to COVID-19, social distancing and health awareness.
Exercise is a great way to stay healthy and maintain a strong immune system, particularly out in sunshine and fresh air. Bonanza and its facilities can support you and we encourage you to make use of the facility.
The above said, we are operating in difficult and dynamic circumstances, we do expect things to change and will be clear and consistent with any updates received from the Ministry of Health. Bonanza will comply with all developing legislation, operational advice and best practice.
Kind regards,
Charles Jerrard,
Director of Golf
