LPGA Amateur Golf Association - Northern New Jersey
Bunker Buzz - May 2020
Contents
  • President’s Message
  • League Registration
  • Membership- Thanks for Staying with Us!
  • Webinars
  • Members Supporting Members
  • Upcoming Schedule 
  • Membership Cards
  • National Events Calendar Updated
  • Stay in Touch with Us and Each Other- Facebook & Instagram
  • Member get a Member Contest

President’s Message


Dearest Members;

We have been going through an unprecedented time in our lives as it relates to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. We have sheltered at home and have anxiously wondered when we can return to some sort of normalcy in our lives including returning to the golf course.   And we also wondered what normalcy will look like.

A big step was taken on Wednesday, as Governor Murphy signed an Executive Order which will allow for the re-opening of golf courses on Saturday, May 2 (subject to certain restrictions and procedures including social distancing).  

Your Board has been closely following the recommendations of the State since maintaining the health and safety of our members is of paramount importance as the state starts to re-open and we can return to the golf course.  Over the past month, the NJ State Golf Association and their allied associations in New Jersey have developed and are committed to following guidelines that will allow us to safely return to our game.  Additionally, the State of NJ has established requirements for all courses to follow which will be our new normal.  (see below for more details)

We are working expeditiously to get us back on the course as soon as possible and are hopeful that League Registration can open by the end of May.  The registration period is going to be shortened so we ask for your cooperation in selecting and registering as soon as possible once the date is announced.  Our goal is to start the leagues as soon as possible but is dependent on the golf courses.  Your Board is working with all of our courses to confirm our return to play.  However, there are many mandated requirements for social distancing such as 2 players per tee time, 16 minute gaps between tee times, closed clubhouses and no additional amenities such as food and beverage service to be considered.  We intend to adjust the start dates and # of weeks of league play; confirm fees; and understand each course’s particular procedures to best ensure the safety of golfers.  This information will be provided on our website as it is obtained.   It will be important to review this information before selecting your league since this will be our new normal, at least for now.

The word for this year’s golf season is going to be “flexible”.  As we work to find our new normal, each one of us has to be willing to be this.  The rules and requirements to keep us safe while we play golf are going to evolve over time.  We will do our best to communicate with you as we go throughout this season.  We ask you to be patient as we navigate through the year.  

As mentioned, communicating with our members is going to be more important than ever this year as we reschedule events and activities and find our new normal.  In order to keep members up to date with information, we ask you to consider following us on Facebook and Instagram (see how to do this below).  These platforms are more conducive to this type of communication and will help minimize emails.

So, until we can see each other on the golf course- take care of yourself and your family;  reach out to other members to check in on them; support your local business and members’ businesses; and check out some of our virtual experiences.

As always, please reach out to share your thoughts.

Stay safe and healthy!!!

Jane A. Egan
President
LPGA Amateur Golf Association- Northern New Jersey
973-907-4290
League Registration

Governor Murphy has announced the re-opening on golf courses for this weekend (May 2-3) with certain restrictions and procedures including social distancing.  Your Board is preparing for our return to golf and will be confirming details for our leagues with the courses in preparation of registration for our leagues.  

GOAL IS FOR LEAGUE REGISTRATION TO OPEN BY END OF MAY- Date to be announced

The registration period this year will be short and quick so that we can get back on the course as soon as possible.  However, the courses are dealing with many new requirements for social distancing which may affect our play.

The Board is working with each course to determine the exact dates that the course will be able to accommodate our starting and learning of how they are dealing with the state mandated requirements for social distancing.  Some of these requirements include - 2 players per tee time, 16 minute gaps between tee times, closed clubhouses and no additional amenities such as food and beverage service and rest rooms.  We intend to adjust the start dates and # of weeks of league play; confirm fees; and understand each course’s particular procedures to best ensure the safety of golfers.  This information will be provided on our website as it is obtained.   It will be important to review this information before selecting your league since this will be our new normal, at least for now.

Please watch for future announcements and be prepared to register as soon as possible once registration is open.  

It is imperative that the safety and well-being of our members are taken into consideration and we will be confirming that the courses will be following the requirements provided by the State of NJ and the recommendations of the NJ State Golf Association and their allied associations.  You may view these recommendations and requirements at the NJSGA website to get an idea of what our new normal will look like on the golf course.   Click here to see details.


As we confirm course information we will be posting on our website.   Information such as league start dates, # of weeks, course procedures and amenities, etc. will be shared. 


We will also be posting on Facebook and Instagram.   Please consider Liking our pages (see below for how).


Any questions or concerns- Janine O’Connor-  leagues@LPGAAmateursNNJ.com
Membership- Thanks for Staying with Us!
Your membership and connection to our Northern New Jersey Chapter of the LPGA Amateur Golf Association is important to us.  We thank you for continuing your membership with us through this challenging time.  

We have been anticipating a return to golf this season and it appears that the time is here since Governor Murphy has announced the re-opening of our golf courses!!!!  We will be holding League registration soon and our events our being rescheduled.  

If you can renew your membership at your expiration it is truly appreciated.  If you are unable to renew on time, please know that until our season starts you will continue to have access to our various member benefits.     Those of you that stay with us and continue to support this great organization in 2020 will be rewarded in some fashion in 2021. Headquarters is working out what that will look like but assure us that “they will do right by our members”.  


Any questions or concerns- Mindy Oosten  membership@LPGAAmateursNNJ.com
LPGA Amateurs Webinars

While we cannot be out on the course playing, the LPGA Amateurs does offer a series of informative webinars related to golf and other women's issues that you can access. Please find below a listing of upcoming offerings and past webinars available for On Demand viewing.

TO ACCESS - SIGN IN AT “ MEMBERS.LPGAAMATEURS.COM ”

Click on "Webinars". You can access previously offered webinars by clicking "On Demand" at the top of the list that appears.

Upcoming Webinars

How to Deal with Playing Partners Who Drive You Nuts! 
Monday, May 4  7:00pm EDT – Facebook Live
Presented by: Cindy Miller, LPGA Professional

Rules - Competitive and Partner Events
Wednesday, May 6 7:00 PM EDT
Presented by: Karla Harding, USGA Rules Official
Jeanne Biggerstaff, Senior Coordinator of events and Handicap Specialist
When playing in an event with partner formats such as 2 Person Best Ball in Stroke Play and Four Ball Match Play, the Rules of Golf are a bit different. Learn the differences in this enlightening webinar presented by USGA Rules Official, TOPS Committee member, long-time LPGA Amateurs member, and past Nancy Oliver Award Winner, Karla Harding.

LinkedIn - Are you Leveraging LinkedIN?
Tuesday, May 12 10:00 AM EDT
Presented by: Diana Gats,  bio here
This session will focus on the key elements of LinkedIn – Personal Profile (developing Your Brand and establishing credibility), Building Your Network (increases being found in search & provides incredible resources), Research (for that next job opportunity or sales prospect. You will learn tips and techniques that are immediately implementable!
Quick thought – you have 500+ Connections, is that all there is to leveraging LinkedIn?
 
On-Demand Webinars
Rules 101
Originally Recorded: Saturday, March 28 2020
Presented by: Karla Harding, USGA Rule Official
Jeanne Biggerstaff, Senior Coordinator of Events and Handicap Specialist
We understand that the Rules of Golf can be confusing and we are here to help. Please join us for an overview of some of the most commonly encountered rules when you are playing golf. This presentation will be led by USGA Rules Official, TOPS Committee member, long-time LPGA Amateurs member, and past Nancy Oliver Award Winner, Karla Harding.
Abundance Mindset

Originally Recorded: Monday, March 30 2020
Presented by: Debbie O'Connell, LPGA Professional and Owner at Golf Positive
Are you living in lack, scarcity, stress, and overwhelmed and always running away from what you don't want to happen? What do you want instead?
An abundant mindset will reset your focus to what you truly do want in your life. You'll be moving towards the positive. The results:
  • A knowing that there is enough time, money, resources, energy and capabilities
  • Less stress
  • Continued movement towards the life you want to live
  • Incredible relationships
  • Next level success and leadership
  • Confidence
  • Positive, happy life
This webinar will elicit a massive transformation in your thinking and beliefs which will enhance all areas of your life.
Please note that the recording of this session is only available as an audio podcast. Click the button below to access the audio. You do not need to sign in to listen to the file.

Member Orientation
Originally Recorded: April 8, 2020
Presented by: LPGA Amateurs Staff
This discussion is designed to provide members and potential members with information about how to get the most of your membership and provide the opportunity to meet LPGA Amateurs Staff members. You will hear about what makes LPGA Amateurs, THE Golf Community for Women including our mission and vision, LPGA Amateur Events, Member Benefits, details about our Chapters, and more. While this webinar is geared toward newer members, all members and guests are welcome to attend.

World Handicap System
Originally Recorded: April 18, 2020
Presented by: Jeanne Biggerstaff, Senior Coordinator of Events and Handicap Specialist
WHS, Maximum Hole Score, Low Handicap Index – confused by all the new terms and formulas for handicaps in 2020? Join Jeanne Biggerstaff, Senior Coordinator of Events and Handicap Specialist, for an informative webinar to gain a better understanding of the many changes to handicapping, including how it affects LPGA Amateurs members who use GolfNet. To help us cover your questions, please submit your questions during your registration.
Members Supporting Members 
So many small businesses are struggling in so many ways due to the COVID- 19 outbreak.  

Many of these business owners are our own LPGA Amateur Members.  In an effort to help these businesses get through this, our chapter will be launching the following effort.

A call to action to support the businesses run by our members and partners by shopping their businesses now and/or purchasing gift cards to be used for services later. 

If you have a business that you would like us to include in our listing, please fill out this form with a short description of the service/product. 

We will compile a list and post on our Website, Facebook and Instagram sites.

Let’s use our enormous networking ability of the LPGA Amateurs to help each other out.

To be included in this listing please complete this form-  Here

Any questions- Traci Sachs  chaptercommunications@LPGAAmateursNNJ.com  or Jane Egan  president@LPGAAmateursNNJ.com
Upcoming Schedule
Members are encouraged to check our web site for the most up to date information on events, leagues, clinics and anything scheduled for our Chapter’s members.  We will be making adjustments to this schedule as needed due to the ever-changing status of the environment in which we are living today due to COVID-19.  Thanks for your understanding.
Any questions or concerns- Annette Owens  events@LPGAAmateursNNJ.com
Temporary LPGA Amateurs Membership Cards

The LPGA Amateurs membership card distributor is currently closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and we are unable to provide the regular membership cards. In the interim, temporary member ID cards are now available in the Member Clubhouse. To download and print these temporary cards:
  1. Visit lpgaamateurs.com and press and complete Sign In
  2. On the My Profile page, press Purchases tab along the top row of tabs
  3. Press Memberships
  4. Under Active Memberships, find the column ID Cards and press the blue button
  5. A new box will pop up and ask for permission to download on your computer, press OK
  6. Print the downloaded file

Any questions- Mindy Oosten  membership@LPGAAmateursNNJ.com
LPGA Amateurs 2020 Competitive Events Update

LPGA Amateurs Golf Department sent an email to all LPGA Amateurs members on April 15 outlining the plan for the 2020 LPGA Amateurs Golf Season. The following are the highlights of the message.

Our intention is to run all four Majors in 2020: Scramble Open, Cup Finals, Championship Finals and Stableford. Below are the confirmed locations and dates of three of the four Majors in 2020: 

  • The Scramble Open will be held at Pinehurst Resort No. 6 & No. 7, in Pinehurst, North Carolina on August 14-15, 2020.
  • The Championship Finals will remain at La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas on November 6-7, 2020.
  • The Stableford will be held at Sewailo Golf Club at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona on December 4-5, 2020.
  • Cup Finals – we are working on confirming the facility and dates for this event. We will share that information as soon as we can.  

Scramble Open & Stableford:
Previously registered teams have been contacted to either maintain or cancel their registrations.  Once this process is completed these tournaments HQ may open registration for additional teams.  Stay tuned. 

  • The everchanging environment and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 has led us to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Regional Cup Qualifiers and Sectional Championship Qualifiers. 

Cup & Championship Finals:
  • Registrations for Cup & Championship Finals will open shortly to all active members. An email will be sent out in the near future with all the details for registrations.
  • Since we are not conducting qualifiers, we have expanded the number of exemptions into these Majors as is typical for similar events within our industry. They are as follows:
  • Exemptions into Cup Finals are the 2019 Champions, 2nd place and 3rd place teams.
  • Exemptions into Championship Finals are the 2018 and 2017 Overall Champions, 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Low Gross and Low Net winners in each flight from 2019.

IMPORTANT NOTE : Once registrations have been completed if either the Cup or Championship Finals are oversubscribed, we will host a watch party for a live lottery drawing for entry into the oversubscribed event.


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Fanatics Discount for LPGA Amateurs Members 

LPGA Amateurs members will receive a 25% discount off the retail price when ordering merchandise through Fanatics. The process to receive your discount is very simple:
  1. Connect to Fanatics through this link >>> LPGA Pro Shop
  2. Choose your items
  3. Use Promo Code LPGAMEM (cannot be combined with other codes).
Order your items
LPGA Women's Network - Working From Home With Kids Tips
 The LPGA Women's Network recently provided tips for working at home with kids from Smuckers LPGA Child Development Center Director, Bardine May. Check out how to create a routine for your kids when routines seem impossible  at this link. 
Stay in Touch with Us and Each Other- Facebook and Instagram

The Board is always looking for ways to communicate, stay connected with our Members and have our members stay connected with each other without swamping your email inboxes.  Other organizations have found that one of the easiest ways to provide real time updates is via Facebook and Instagram.  We would like to encourage each member to connect with us on these platforms…it’s easy to do!

This efficient method of communication and connection is especially important this year due to the unusual situation in which we find ourselves. There are many resources that we can share with you such as new events, webinars, clinics, Golf Tips, and much more.  Also, you can post on our sites (and upon approval) all of our members will be able to see your posts.  These can be fun pictures, information on your business, stories, etc.  What a great way for us all to stay connected!!!!

Here’s how to join us…                       
Facebook
If you have an account- Follow us on
https:// www.facebook.com/lpgaamateursnnj/
If you don’t yet have an account-  it’s easy to sign up and it’s free.
Instagram
If you have an account-
If you don’t yet have an account-

Questions- Traci Sachs   chaptercommunications@LPGAAmateursNNJ.com
 
MEMBER GET A MEMBER CONTEST

WIN A FREE LPGA AMATEUR MEMBERSHIP

For every member that you recruit
you will receive one entry into a drawing for a
FREE MEMBERSHIP
(a value of up to $120).
You are our greatest Ambassador!!  

As a LPGA Amateur member, we hope that you will spread the word about our fabulous organization. This year all New & Renewing members will have their membership fee prorated based on the month that they join or renew. So, it is a great time for you to encourage your friends to join and give us a try.  



Eligibility and rules for the drawing:
  • The new member must indicate your name as the referral at time of sign up
  • The new member may not be a renewing member
  • There are no limits to the number of entries that can be earned
  • Applies to all new memberships from January 1, 2020 through Aug 31 2020
  • Prize will be for 2021 Membership to be paid in full (a value up to $120)

Drawing will be held at the Season Closer on September 26, 2020. You do not have to be present to win.
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LPGA Amateur Golf Association
Northern New Jersey Chapter