PGA of Ontario Update

To our PGA of Ontario Members,

The PGA of Ontario team is working hard to provide updated and relevant resources through these uncertain and challenging times. If there is anything that you feel we have missed, please reply to this email so that we may find better ways to support you.

Our staff is working remotely until further notice, but can be reached by email to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We're all in this together.

Visit our new PGA Community Connection page!  

Welcome to the new PGA Community Connection page!

On this page the PGA of Ontario will post FREE online education workshops, webinars, sharing of best practices, or training exercises that the PGA of Canada, PGA Zones and/or your fellow PGA professionals will be hosting during this isolation period that COVID-19 has imposed upon us.

We believe this is a time we must come together to support one another as we navigate these challenges. The PGA of Ontario is happy to share helpful resources amongst our pros and need your help to find out about all the great initiatives that are taking place.

Consider this PGA Community Connection page as a “home base” where content will be shared and delivered BY PGA professionals, FOR PGA professionals.

If you plan to conduct any sort of virtual initiatives that would benefit your fellow PGA professionals then we want to hear from you!

Please click here for more information.

LET'S STAY CONNECTED!

PGA of Canada Webinars

Webinars are FREE to join and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Recordings will be posted to the COVID-19 Member Resource Hub for those that are unable to attend the live sessions. 

WEBINAR #1:

COVID-19: Avoiding the Rough - Planning for What's Now

and What's Next - Ask the Expert

When: Tuesday, March 31 @ 2:00 p.m. ET

Description: During this 60-minute 'Ask the Expert' webinar, international crisis management consultant and pandemic planning expert, Suzanne Bernier, will talk about and take questions on how and what golf professionals should be planning for and what to expect over the coming weeks and months, based on lessons learned from SARS, H1N1 and other infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

WEBINAR #2:

What's Happening to My Investment Portfolio?

When: Thursday, April 2 @ 3:00 p.m. ET

Description: In this interactive, Q&A webinar, Drew Keith from Edward Jones will support PGA members who need guidance and direction on managing their personal finances during these difficult times.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

WEBINAR #3:

COVID-19: Your Human Skills as a PGA Professional Have Never Been More Required Than They Are Today

When: Friday, April 3 @ 1:30 p.m. ET

Description: From Ian James of RetailTribe: I will show you how the solution to the problems we face right now is, in fact, a “human one”. Best of all it isn’t me who has decided that. It’s the thoughts of some of the smartest people in the world, academic futurists, who’ve been trying to work out how we navigate the AI / Machine Learning age we are entering. Your human skills have never been more required than they are today. In fact, never has the golf industry needed your human skills and expertise more than now.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

WEBINAR #4:

Planning Beyond the First Wave of COVID-19

When: Tuesday, April 7 @ 11:30 a.m. ET

Description: This webinar will present a planning and strategizing session that will assist you in preparing your immediate ramp up, plan your HR needs for that ramp up and plan for future impacts you may face with your organizations. An opportunity to chat and collaborate with the other attendees will allow you to hear what others are planning in your industry. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

WEBINAR #5:

Teaching the Regular Golfer with Andrew Rice

When: Wednesday, April 8 @ 4 p.m. ET

Description & Registration: Coming soon! Check back here for updates. 

COVID-19 Member Resource Hub

Be sure to check out the newly designed COVID-19 Member Resource Hub, which will be regularly updated with webinars, articles and other relevant information.



Helpful Information

Government Financial Assistance

PGA of Canada has compiled a list of the latest financial resources available to individuals and businesses from the federal government.

For more information, click here.

Industry Collaboration: We Are Golf Statement on COVID-19

The National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA, a.k.a We Are Golf) and the PGA of Canada are working in tandem with Golf Canada, NGCOA Canada, CSCM and CGSA to ensure the Canadian golf industry remains resilient and primed for a strong, cohesive resurgence.

Given the recent and rapid developments concerning COVID-19, we felt it was more important than ever to provide an aligned message.

Click here to view the joint We Are Golf statement on COVID-19, which was distributed to all golf associations and the general public as of 5:30 p.m. ET on March 25, 2020

Clarification on Turf & Maintenance Team Members

NGCOA Canada has received written confirmation from the Ontario Government clarifying the list of essential workplaces and how that relates directly to your turf & maintenance team members. The Government has confirmed that turf maintenance teams are able to maintain their properties over the next 14 days (as of March 25).

All work on the grounds that staff are doing must be justified as essential property maintenance to preserve, protect and prevent damage to the property AND all precautionary measures MUST be in place during this critical time; including social distancing, hand washing, workspace cleaning, etc. It was noted that it is imperative to only have staff doing what is essential for the golf course property (for instance removal of tarps off greens, necessary turf cutting, etc.).

Section 1 (2) of the Order in Council that was signed by the Lieutenant Governor confirms:

1(2) Despite subsection (1), temporary access to a closed place of business that is not listed in Schedule 2 is authorized, unless otherwise prohibited by any applicable law, for the purposes of,

(a) performing work at the place of business in order to comply with any applicable law;

(b) allowing for inspections, maintenance and repairs to be carried out at the place of business;

(c) allowing for security services to be provided at the place of business;

and

(d) attending at the place of business temporarily,

(i) to deal with other critical matters relating to the closure of the place

of business, if the critical matters cannot be attended to remotely; or

(ii) to access materials, goods or supplies that may be necessary for the business to be operated remotely.

Member Assistance Program

A reminder to everyone that, through your PGA of Canada membership, you have access to the Member Assistance Program (MAP). This is an outstanding resource provided to help members at their greatest need. Please take the time to reach out for help if needed.

Members have access to free, professional and confidential counseling, coaching and consulting services through the PGA of Canada Member Assistance Program provided by FSEAP. These services can help you manage personal, family, and/or work-related concerns.

FSEAP has informed us that they are working diligently to ensure strong business continuity through these turbulent times. Their services are expected to remain seamless but may be delivered through telephone or video rather than in person given the nature of current events.

English and French services can be accessed 24/7 online or toll-free by calling 1.844.720.1212

Username: progolf

Password: myfseap

Employment Resources & Services

The PGA of Canada has recently hired Employment Manager Jeff Fry to spearhead the national expansion of the Right Fit Employment program. While Jeff’s main goal is to support facilities and hiring managers in ensuring the right employment fit for their business, he is also equipped to provide support for job seekers, offer career guidance and other helpful employment services during the COVID-19 outbreak.

To contact Jeff, click here. 

Postponement or Cancellation of Events

We are actively reviewing our education and tournament schedule and will provide updates on any postponements or cancellations as soon as more information becomes available. 

Please note: The PGA of Ontario Annual General Meeting (which was scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th, 2020) has been postponed until further notice. Our team is investigating alternatives and is committed to keeping our members informed as we monitor COVID-19 developments.

Open Lines of Communication

Our National and Zone staff remain connected and ready to assist. If you are not sure who to contact, please email your inquiry to pgaofcanadanews@pgaofcanada.com.

The PGA of Canada team is monitoring this inbox closely and promise to respond within 24-48 hours.  

We want to ensure you that the PGA of Ontario is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our members, staff and public. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this challenge together.

As always, please adhere to the latest guidelines published by local, provincial and federal authorities with respect to COVID-19. 

The PGA of Ontario is with you during this challenging period. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions, concerns, comments, and suggestions. We will do everything possible to support you through these ever-changing times.

Stay healthy and be well.

Sincerely,

Melanie van der Hoop

Executive Director

PGA of Ontario