Pelican Waters Golf Club – Extreme Weather

This policy has been developed to reduce the risk of harm to all persons (members, guests, staff, and others who have access to the golf course
and golf club facilities from time to time) because of extreme weather at
Pelican Waters Golf Club (PWGC).

Responsibility

This policy provides framework and guidelines to minimize the risk of harm occurring due to extreme weather at PWGC.

Extreme weather conditions are not always capable of accurate forecast and can materialise with little warning.

Notwithstanding this, where possible, PWGC will:

• communicate extreme weather forecast risks to users of the golf course including via a weather forecast board at the Pro Shop, on their website, and through social media channels; and
• initiate the action and alerts in this policy to make players aware of the dangers of extreme weather.

However, players must take responsibility for their own safety when threatened by extreme weather.

Any player in a group can choose to stop play and seek shelter if they believe an extreme situation exists or is imminent in accordance with The Rules of Golf: Rule 5.7a – When players may or must stop play.

Extreme Heat

Golf Australia considers the risk of heat related injury to be extreme at an ambient temperature of 36 degrees or higher.

• Should the Bureau of Metrology (BOM) weather forecast for the Sunshine Coast be for temperatures of 36 degrees or higher, the following guidelines to minimise the risk of heat-related injury should be followed by players:
  consider playing in the morning or evening to avoid extreme heat;
• ensure you remain adequately hydrated before and during your round;
• consider using a cart;
• wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing;
• cease playing if you feel unwell; and
• use sun protection including hats and sunscreen.

Staff, officials, and others accessing the golf course are also encouraged to hydrate, rest in the shade where possible, use carts to move around the golf course, wear appropriate clothing, and use sun protection.

Conditions will be monitored by Golf Operations and others. Competitions may be cancelled or amended if the risk of heat-related injury is deemed too high.

The course will remain open, however, any decision to play will be the sole responsibility of each player.

Lightning

Lightning presents an extreme risk to personal safety. The risk of lightning will be determined using the methods listed below:

• Visually, and/or on hearing of thunder;
• Using a “flash to thunder” reckoning. For example: If thunder is heard, the lightning activity is approximately 10 km away when there is a 30 second flash-to-thunder time interval.

If lightning or thunderstorms have been forecast or lightning is detected within 10 km of the golf course, then staff will advise players before their round that on-course play may be suspended and players may be ordered to stop play in the event of lightning or thunderstorms. This would be communicated by an audible air horn warning (which is audible around the entirety of the course).

If on-course play is suspended, all players must evacuate the course and seek shelter at the Clubhouse, Pro Shop, or other well-constructed buildings (such as on-course toilets if a storm cell develops in such time that there is no safe way to return to the Clubhouse or Pro Shop) with golf balls to be left in position to be played when on-course play is resumed.

Under no circumstances should players seek shelter under a tree or in a golf cart as this may increase their risk of injury.

If PWGC staff and officials are satisfied that the risks to players, members, guests, and others have passed, then on-course play will be allowed to resume 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder/sight of lightning, and this will be communicated to players by PWGC staff and officials and by two short soundings of the air horn.

High Winds

High winds may present a tree-fall risk. Should the BOM issue a Wind Warning (>60km/h gusts):

• loose equipment should be secured;
• Golf Course staff and officials will assess the risks and may suspend play if it is determined that conditions pose a risk to the health and safety of players, members, guests, and others.

Review and Training

This policy shall be reviewed annually or after significant weather events. Staff and officials shall be trained in relation to this policy and weather monitoring systems.