We have received a fair amount of communication from golfers who want the CA to open our golf courses to play under transitional guidelines. The CA Board and staff could not agree more with that desire. The Board did unanimously agree to shut down our community, including our golf courses, from March 13 to April 20. The decision was based on our age-related vulnerability to this virus. It was absolutely the right thing to do even when other golf courses remained open.
We are now at a point where we want to reopen our courses under transitional guidelines. Transitional guidelines have been developed and can be viewed using this link: Reopening Procedures. Our golf course reopening guidelines are more comprehensive than the details provided by the County. Our guidelines have been shared with the County multiple times and the County has now shared them with the State for their comment, feedback, and/or direction. The County’s primary concern is our age-related vulnerability to the virus. We and the County are awaiting the final word on an opening date from the State.
Please note that the Williamson County shelter in place order that specifically identified the Sun City courses to be closed was a decision made solely by the County. The County is also aware that some of our golfers have been playing on other golf courses that have remained open (Berry Creek, Star Ranch).
Other Reopening Considerations
For the past few weeks the Board and staff have been working with OUTDOOR clubs to develop “Guidelines for Transitional Operation.” These guidelines would be the basis on which we would conduct our outdoor activities when we receive the appropriate direction from the local authorities (State, County, City.) These guidelines would be followed until we are given an “all clear” to resume normal activity. The following guidelines are currently being reviewed for approval by the Board and staff as well as Pulte and County officials as applicable:
- Tennis
- Pickleball
- Golf
- Bocce
- Horseshoes, Washers and Shuffleboard (HAWKS)
- Horticulture
- Radio Control Modelers
Several outdoor activities not listed above have been addressed with the following conclusions or pending actions:
- Bark Park – will remain closed to any activity
- Softball - must remain inactive
- Hiking – no formal group activity
- Cycling – no formal group activity
- Fishing - guidelines for this activity are in progress
- Farmers Market – will remain closed to any activity
- Firewise (trail development, maintenance and brush removal) – guidelines for this activity are in progress
- Corvette Club – guidelines for this activity are in progress
- RV Club – no group activity until further notice
- Georgettes outdoor practice – guidelines for this activity are in progress
The development of any INDOOR transitional guidelines has not been explored to date. The Board has asked the INDOOR clubs to begin giving thought to what they might propose in the way of transitional or “new normal” guidelines for their clubs. No written guidelines are being solicited from these clubs at this time because we do not expect INDOOR activity to resume anytime soon.
Reopening Dates
As mentioned above, we have NOT received any guidance from our local authorities (State, County or City) as to WHEN we might resume any of the activities mentioned above. We feel we have prepared responsible guidelines for returning to some of our OUTDOOR activities. We have NOT received any formal notification that we may proceed with these activities under any conditions. We, like you, are awaiting further direction from the County, State and/or City regarding how we can proceed, and we remain hopeful that it will be sooner rather than later.
These are trying times for all of us. The email campaign desiring the reopening of our courses is adding no value to the process since we are already doing all that can be done. The pieces (i.e. the guidelines) are in place to move transitionally as soon as we get authorization to do so. Please continue to observe all the CDC guidelines and County directives.
Right now and until we hear otherwise, Sun City Texas, including our golf courses, are under County order to shelter in place and remain closed until April 30, 2020 - which is also subject to change.
