Inside Welcome to Blair Atholl 1 Golf Club Contact Details 1 Golf Club Facilities 2 Clubhouse Facilities 3 Member Privileges 3 Start of Play 4 Speed of Play 4 Cancellation 5 Weather Delays 5 Playing Fees 5 Local Rules 6 Competitions and Prizes 6 Handicaps 7 Use of Cellphones 7 Lost and Found Property 7 Security and Safety 8 Dress Code 8 Golf Cart Policy 9 Lightning Policy 9 Golf Course Etiquette 10 Liability Disclaimer 10
page 1 Welcome to Blair Atholl Blair Atholl Golf Estate is a family orientated private residential Golf Estate, established on the beautiful Blair Atholl farm. Mr. Gary Player who was the previous owner of Blair Atholl sold it to create a beautiful residential golf and equestrian estate. Our aim is to ensure that every member and their guests who visit Blair Atholl will leave with a sense of complete satisfaction exceeding their expectations in every way. This guide is intended to help us accomplish that. Welcome to the Blair Atholl Go Experience... Go Club Contact Details Telephone: +27 (011) 300-5713 Fax: +27 (011) 300-5701 Email: proshop@blairatholl.co.za Website: www.blairatholl.co.za Club Captain Director of Golf Food and Beverage Manager - Alan Rahme - Paul Marks - Charl Steyn
page 2 Go Club Facilities Golf Course The key focus of the club is to facilitate the game of golf. The golf course is a Gary Player signature golf course. It is designed as a true championship test of golf but with tee positioning to make it user friendly for all levels of golfer. Golf Shop A fully stocked Pro Shop is located on the ground floor of the Clubhouse. Players are required to register for golf in the Golf Shop. Members are required to open a round on the HNA system and enter their score in the required time frame of the HNA to avoid penalty scores. BA is part of the Gauteng North Golf Union and the SAGA. Practice Range A large full length driving range, chipping & bunker facility and putting green are located adjacent to the Clubhouse. Please note that the practice facilities are for the use of members only and their guests. Any non-member or guest must obtain permission from the Director of Golf for any use of the facilities. Locker rooms Two Member/Guest locker rooms are available for ladies and gentlemen. They are equipped with private lockers, showers, washbasins and toilets. Towels and toiletries are provided. In addition there is a private locker room for both men and ladies, which can be booked out for exclusive functions/golf days. HalfWay House The Half Way House is located between the 8th and 9th holes on the Crocodile River. It is unique, remote, relaxing and has been described as one of the Best in the World. Caddies A limited number of regular Caddies are available for hire by players. The Club will do all it can to facilitate the availability of Caddies but cannot guarantee availability at all times. The employment of a Caddie is strictly between the player and the Caddie. Golf Carts The club has a fleet of electric two seated golf carts available for rental to golfers. Golf carts are optional and players are welcome to walk the course if they so choose. Members are welcome to use their own golf carts.
page 3 Clubhouse Facilities The large modern Clubhouse at Blair Atholl has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The facilities include a fine dining restaurant, a Members bar and a function room. The upstairs open deck is an ideal spot to enjoy drinks while watching the spectacular views of the golf course at sunset. There is also a health spa, which offers all day spa treatments as well as a fully equipped gymnasium. Member Privileges Blair Atholl is a private golf club for Members to enjoy with availability to play golf six days of the week. As a general rule the course and clubhouse are closed on Monday s. Members are welcome to invite guests to join them to play at any time. There is no limit to the number of guests a Member may bring at any given time. Member Guests may be allowed to play without the Member being present with prior approval of the Club Captain or the Director of Golf. Most often Members need not book tee times but from time to time the course will be open to outside golf events. These external golf events will normally be restricted to Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday s when the facilities will be opened to corporate days. Members will always be notified in advance of the course being booked out for an outside event. From time to time the Club may host high profile Golf Tournaments over more than one day at which times the course may be closed to Members. In all such cases Members will be notified well in advance and the Club will always endeavor to secure reciprocity arrangements with other clubs for Members. Individual golfers may be allowed to play without introduction by a Member but only under strictly controlled terms and conditions. This will only be allowed with the knowledge and approval of the Club Captain or the Director of Golf. Only nationally or internationally Affiliated golfers will be allowed to play without the presence of a Member, but also only with the consent of the Club Captain or the Director of Golf. A booking letter explaining the BA code of conduct will be emailed to guests prior to them arriving at the club. Member Competitions will generally be held on a Friday or Saturday and it is recommended to reserve tee times for these competition days. Member guests are welcome to participate in all club competitions except for Trophy events/club majors. A one-tee start off the 1st tee is the normal practice for casual Member golf. On bigger golf days the 1st and the 10th tee will be used or shotgun starts implemented if needed.
page 4 Start of Play Start of play will be based on a first come first served basis for casual Member golf. When reserved tee times are applicable, players are requested to report to their respective starting tees at least 10 minutes before the reserved starting time. If any player is going to be late for a tee off time they are requested to advise the Club accordingly so that the remaining players in the group can be informed. In the event that one player in the four ball is late, the remaining three players are required to tee off on time and the fourth player will then join the four ball on arrival. In the event that two or three players in a four ball are late the remaining players will be required to forfeit their place in the field and move to the back of the field or be slotted in the field when the players who are late arrive. It is common golf etiquette to arrive at the Club and to be on time for starting play. Speed of Play The course is long and the Club expects an 18 holes round of golf to take 5 hours. All players are requested to prepare themselves for the round and to enjoy the beautiful surrounds, rather than become frustrated. The speed of play will be monitored on busy days and players are requested to cooperate fully with the marshals when instructed to speed up play. Players who fail to respond positively will be removed from the course. In the event that any group falls behind the field, they will be requested to catch up or let the group behind them through or pick up their golf balls and proceed to the next hole. There are a few simple guidelines to help players complete their round in the required time: - Be on the starting tee ready to play 10 minutes before scheduled tee off times - Tee off on the scheduled tee time whether or not all players are present - Keep up with the four ball in front. The Club will concern itself with the four ball behind, PLAY READY GOLF - The first four ball to tee off on any day has the responsibility to set the pace of play - Be completely ready when it is your turn to play - Use the halfway house stop as an opportunity to catch up with the four ball ahead of you - Obey the starter and marshal - Pick up your ball if you can no longer score on any hole The Marshal is there to help every player to enjoy their golf experience and players are requested to respect their authority.
page 5 Cancellation In the event that any Member is unable to honor a reserved tee time they are requested to notify the Club accordingly. There will be no penalty imposed for any cancellations. Cancellations from Club Trophy events will only be accepted 48 hours or more before the event. Weather Delays In the event that guests or Member Guests are not able to complete a round due to adverse weather conditions, players will be offered complimentary rounds on the following basis: - Individual players: A complimentary round will be offered if the player has completed less than 5 holes of the round. - Groups: Complimentary rounds will be offered to the group if any players have completed less then 5 holes of the round. - Under no circumstances will payment be refunded to any individual or group at any time. Playing Fees All Member Guests and individual guests booked to play a round of golf are required to pay for the game ahead of play. Playing fees will be determined from time to time for all categories of players. Players may be required to produce proof of payment on the starting tee.
page 6 Local Rules Local rules applicable everyday will be posted on the golfer s notice board and also on the scorecard. Please be sure to read and comply with these rules. Members and guests are: - Not permitted to practice on the golf course except when playing a round of golf. - To enter and exit bunkers at the nearest level point to the green. - Not permitted to purchase golf balls from hawkers on the golf course and are expected to report the presence of hawkers on the course to the Club Management. - Required to each have their own set of golf clubs when playing a round of golf. - Not permitted to jog or walk the course for recreational purposes during normal periods of play. - Required to purchase all liquid refreshments from the Club to consume on the golf course. - Alcohol is not permitted on the course. - Required to obtain Management approval before playing in a group of more than four players. Competition and Prizes The Club will host competitions from time to time. Prizes will be given in accordance with the limits determined from time to time by the South African Golf Association and in terms of their rules will be paid out in vouchers, to be redeemed at the Golf Shop. Under no circumstances will Members club accounts be credited with the value of the prizes received. Vouchers will be valid for three months. In the event of a tie winners will be determined by count out for regular weekly Club Competitions. The count-out procedure is: A. Best last 9 holes B. Best last 6 holes C. Best last 3 holes D. Best short holes In the event of a tie with two players or teams in Club Trophy Tournaments the winners will be determined by sudden death play-off over the 18th hole. Play will be repeated over the 18th hole until a winner is determined. In the event of a play-off between more than two players or teams in Club Trophy Tournaments any player or team will drop out of the play-off if two or more remaining players or teams beat them. Two or more players or teams will continue to play off on the 18th hole until an eventual winner is determined.
page 7 Handicaps All Member handicaps are calculated dynamically and will be updated every time a score is entered. Under the current SAGA rules, all affiliated golfers have an official handicap calculated on the HNA system. The BA course has different stroke ratings for the different sets of tees, please ensure you select the correct box when entering the score. All affiliated golfers are required to enter every score for handicap purposes, of all rounds played anywhere in the world, players have a responsibility to do so. Nil returns may be entered when the format of play does not allow a score to be used i.e. when, for example, playing foursomes, greensomes, scramble alliance and official match play. All scores must be entered within 48 hours of completion of a round. Scores not returned on time could result in a penalty score, equivalent to the par of the course, being entered on the player s behalf. In the event that any member is unable to enter a score on time, they are welcome to contact the Golf Shop and request them to enter the score on their behalf. Refer to the South African Handicapping System manual for complete requirements regarding ACCEPTABLE SCORES. Use of Cellphones Cellphones have become part of daily living, but should be used with discretion at the Golf Club. The principle to bear in mind is not to disturb or offend other players or guests. All players are requested to put their phones on silent mode when in the clubhouse or on the course. When making or receiving a call, members and guests are required to step outside the building or away from other players and to conduct the call in private. Lost and Found Property Any lost property found on the course or in the Clubhouse should be handed in at the Golf Shop, where it will be held for safekeeping until claimed by the owner. Lost and found property will be recorded in a register, and held in the Golf Shop for a maximum period of 3 months, after which it will be disposed of.
page 8 Security and Safety The estate is considered to be a safe and secure environment, but one can never be careful enough. All players, guests and visitors are encouraged to take care of their personal possessions. Valuables should be secured in a locker provided and not left unattended in the locker rooms. Any incident of loss or theft should be reported immediately to the Golf Shop or the Reception Desk for investigation by Security. The Club accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any loss or theft of personal property. Dress Code The culture at Blair Atholl is designed to allow all Members and visitors to have fun and enjoy themselves. This can only be achieved if everybody who visits Plays by the Rules. With this in mind, the dress code in the Clubhouse and on the course is relaxed yet must comply with generally accepted golf etiquette. In the Clubhouse: Casual wear is appropriate throughout the Clubhouse. No open shoes, slip slops or vests allowed. On the course: Players are required to be appropriately dressed for golf. Jeans and t-shirts are not permitted. Gym, jogging and cycling shorts are also not permitted. Only golf shoes fitted with soft spikes will be permitted. Appropriate golf attire is required on the practice facilities as well as on the golf course. The Golf Committee reserves the right to monitor dress code and to take appropriate corrective action against offenders.
page 9 Go Cart Policy The club has a full fleet of electric golf carts available for hire. Members may use their own golf carts, provided they are: - Electric powered. - Black with the Blair Atholl corporate image and stand number painted in gold in accordance with the owners property number. - Registered with the Club. - Either 2 or 4-seater ride on type with sand bottles included. - No visitors are allowed to bring privately owned golf carts onto the course. - A maximum of two players are allowed to occupy any golf cart while playing golf. - No person under the age of 18 years may drive a golf cart on the course or anywhere on the estate. - Only individuals in possession of a valid driver s license may drive a golf cart on the course and the estate. - Golf carts are required to remain on cart paths between every green and the following tee. - All traffic signs must be obeyed at all times. - Golf carts may not be driven within ten meters of any green or tee box complex except when on a cart path. - Golf carts may never be driven through or into any hazard. - The Golf Committee reserves the right to restrict golf carts to the cart paths when required due to course conditions or inclement weather. - No golf carts are permitted to be taken onto the practice range. - Operation of a golf cart is at the sole risk of the operator. - Any damage caused to any golf cart will be charged to the operator who caused the damage. - Drivers of any golf cart hired from the Club are required to sign an Indemnity Form, taking full responsibility for the return of the cart in the same condition that it was hired and taking full responsibility for the cost of any damages caused. - Violations of the golf cart rules may result in loss of golf cart privileges and/or playing privileges. - The Club provides no storage or charging facilities for Member golf carts. - The club does provide a service to homeowners to call the golf cart company to service their privately owned carts at their home. Lightning Protection The Rules of Golf dictate that it is the players sole responsibility to stop play and leave the course when threatened by bad weather. Any player leaving the course due to the risk of lightning may resume play in the field without penalty when the weather has cleared. The Club has a weather warning system in place but takes no responsibility whatsoever for the safety of the players. In the event of lightning, players are encouraged to return immediately to the safety of the Lightning Protection Huts, Half Way House or Clubhouse.
page 10 All players are expected to: Go Course Etiquette - Keep up with speed of play. - Make every effort to catch up with the four ball ahead after searching for a lost ball. - Behave with dignity and courtesy on the course and in the Clubhouse. - Make use of the litter bins provided. - Rake all bunkers after play. - Repair pitch marks. - Fill all divots. - Avoid wet areas with golf carts. - Protect the course. Liability Disclaimer The Club does not accept responsibility whatsoever for any loss of life or theft of money, bags, keys, clubs, valuables or any loss of property, or for damage or loss of any vehicle on the Estate, nor any injury to any person. The Club does not accept responsibility for any damage to property occasioned by any act or omission of any of the clubs Members, guests, servants, staff or agent. The Club will not be held responsible for safekeeping of any property or goods brought onto the premises by any person. The Club takes no responsibility whatsoever for injury or death incurred as a result of a lighting strike. GOLF COMMITTEE March 2016