First Tee – Roanoke Valley is pleased to announce that 2021 in-person programming will continue at Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy.  Programs are available for kids ages 5-18 and focus on personal growth and building character through the game of golf.  Registration is now open for classes and camps at the Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy on Densmore Road ONLY.  All other locations are temporarily closed as we determine programming best practices. First Tee – Roanoke Valley will follow all recommended guidelines from the CDC, state and local officials and will implement additional policies and procedures to responsibly protect all participants, parents, volunteers, and staff. Here’s a quick video that highlights what your family will see as you return to First Tee.   Safety precautions include:  reduced class sizes (8- 10 participants), social distancing, hand washing and sanitizer stations, and frequent cleaning.  A document outlining all our guidelines for our return to programming are below.  WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ALL PARENTS READ THIS DOCUMENT. The health and safety of First Tee – Roanoke Valley’s participants, parents, staff and volunteers is always our top priority.  With that in mind, we are excited to announce that our class and camp programs at Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy (SRMJGA) on Densmore Road will continue as scheduled with some minor revisions and implementation of best practices. First Tee – Roanoke Valley’s reopening aligns with Virginia state guidelines and the Back2Golf playbook, a guide to the responsible return to golf and golf-related programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  First Tee headquarters joined the game’s leading organizations to collaborate and develop the framework which was reviewed by the CDC and medical experts.  The golf industry has adopted a three-phase approach for golf’s careful reopening and continuation of programs that focus on prolonged social distancing and enhanced sanitation practices. For more information about First Tee – Roanoke Valley please call 540.563.1TEE (1833).   First Tee – Roanoke Valley Guidelines Social Distancing Per CDC guidelines, First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all participants, parents, coaches, volunteers, and staff to practice social distancing at a distance of at least 10 feet. Social distancing should always be practiced during First Tee programming and at our facility.   Masks/Face Coverings First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all coaches, volunteers, and staff to wear a protective mask or face covering while indoors. The building is closed to participants and parents unless there is an emergency. We ask that that all participants have a mask with them while on property in case we need to go indoors for safety.   Hand Sanitizing and Washing First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all participants, coaches, volunteers, and staff to sanitize and/or wash their hands upon arrival and prior to departure from class. Hand sanitizing and hand washing stations will be available.   Waiver First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all employees, volunteers, parents/guardians of participants and volunteers to complete and sign Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19 waiver.  The covid waiver has been incorporated into the registration portal.   Screening of First Tee Staff & Volunteers: First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all coaches, volunteers, and staff to perform a daily symptoms assessment, as recommended by VDHL guidelines Per the CDC, symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pains, headaches, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all coaches, volunteers, and staff have their temperature taken upon arrival. Temperature will be taken using a no-touch infrared forehead thermometer. If any individual has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they will be sent home. The individual may not return to First Tee – Roanoke Valley until they are fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication. If the individual has had contact with someone confirmed or probable to have COVID-19, he or she must complete isolation or quarantine procedures in coordination with the local health department prior to returning to First Tee programming.   Screening of First Tee Participants: First Tee – Roanoke Valley will require all participants have complete a symptoms screening and have their temperature taken upon arrival.  Temperature will be taken using a no-touch infrared forehead thermometer.  If any individual has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, they will not be allowed to participate in First Tee programming and will be sent home.  The individual may not return to First Tee – Roanoke Valley programming until they are fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication. If the individual has had contact with someone confirmed or probable to have COVID-19, he or she must complete isolation or quarantine procedures in coordination with the local health department prior to returning to First Tee programming.   Cleaning & Disinfecting Procedures: Tables, supplies, training aids, equipment, golf balls and golf clubs that are property of First Tee – Roanoke Valley will be cleaned and disinfected before and after each class. SRMJGA clubhouse and bathrooms are disinfected throughout the day and nightly before closing.   Golf Clubs & Equipment: First Tee – Roanoke Valley requires participants to bring their own golf clubs and equipment. If you do not have your own golf clubs or equipment, First Tee – Roanoke Valley will provide clubs and equipment for you to use. Participants will not share equipment. Clubs and equipment provided by First Tee – Roanoke Valley will be cleaned and disinfected before and after each use.   Participant Drop Off/Check-In & Pick Up/Checkout: First Tee – Roanoke Valley strongly suggests parents adhere to a school style drop-off and pick up. Please wait in the car until the coach/volunteer is ready to receive and screen the participant. After check-in, participants will be assigned designated areas to wait until class begins. These areas will be at least 10 feet apart and participants can warmup and stretch while waiting for the class to begin. A coach/volunteer will check the kids out and walk them to their car. Parents are asked to stay in their cars awaiting their child.   Parent Observation: Parents are welcome to observe classes from designated parent areas– as long as they are screened upon arrival, sign a waiver, and comply with social distancing standards.  Cleaning supplies will be available for parents to wipe seating surfaces before/after use.   Coach & Participant Interaction: First Tee – Roanoke Valley coaches, volunteers and staff are not allowed to touch a participant’s golf club, golf ball, and golf bag or make contact with the participant. Coaches, volunteers, and staff will give thumbs up and a tip of the hat to participants – no high fives, fist bumps or handshakes. While giving instruction, coaches, volunteers, and staff will use their words and demonstrate activities while practicing social distancing. No physical contact.   Food & Beverage First Tee – Roanoke Valley will not provide food, beverages, or water for participants. Participants should bring their own filled water bottles or bottles of water. Indoor water fountain will not be accessible. No sharing with other participants.   Bathrooms SRMJGA clubhouse/office is closed to the public.  Please plan ahead.     Inclement Weather In case of inclement weather, the covered tee line and classroom will be used for shelter. Social distancing will be followed. Masks must be worn indoors.   Make Up Classes Due to limited class size and high interest, it is very unlikely First Tee – Roanoke Valley will be able to provide make- up classes.   Confirmed Cases Anyone who shows symptoms while at First Tee – Roanoke Valley will be isolated immediately and instructed to seek medical care. Per the CDC, symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pains, headaches, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. First Tee – Roanoke Valley will inform all parents, participants, staff, coaches, and volunteers should a participant or staff member test positive for COVID-19 or show symptoms of COVID-19. If your participant or anyone in immediate contact of the participants begins to show symptoms, please contact the First Tee – Roanoke Valley office immediately. Classes may have to be cancelled if a participant develops symptoms after being on-site.   First Tee – Roanoke Valley Contacts Office 540.563.1TEE (1833) Jennifer Blackwood, Executive Director [email protected] Bill Rader, PGA     [email protected]  

Read the Fall / Winter 2020 edition of The Scorecard newsletter