President's Message - July 28, 2020

The City of Austin Golf Courses Scheduled to Reopen Is a Start

July 28, 2020 -Golfer's gossip is the fastest form of information movement in the land so the fact that any of you are not aware of the following would be unlikely. The fact that we have a link at the bottom left of our ASGA home page makes it even more unlikely. However, just to keep you up to date as promised, here are the words.

"Course Update Effective July 24th-The City of Austin Golf ATX golf courses will reopen Saturday, August 8th under the same modified operations prior to the July Closure. All special events and golf tournaments are still currently on hold."

The best part of this announcement is that Riverside is following the open/not open guidelines of the city and this should allow our August 11th tournament to go forward. At this time I am working toward confirming that and will update when I learn.

We are still waiting to be aligned with the mayor's schedule to make our case for returning to our city courses schedule. I followed up late last week. He has been a bit busy.

Your support has been greatly appreciated. We continue to look for ways to get back on schedule and now that the city courses are about to be reopened is a start . Stay safe, mentally active and get back on the golf course each and every time you can.

On behalf of the ASGA Board of Directors

Travis McWhorter

President's Message - July 15, 2020

ASGA Campaign For Mayor Adler's Mind Change

Tuesday, July 14, 2020 -The continued growing concern with cases increasing in number for Covid-19 plus developing the new budget for the city has likely occupied Mayor Adler's mind from morning until night. However, in the midst of all that activity Mayor Adler's call screener contacted me late last week regarding my voicemail involving playing safe golf in Austin that I mentioned in last week's update. She quizzed me and we had a good exchange of information that lasted 15 or so minutes.
     The end result was that she felt Mayor Adler would want to have some form of meeting with me in the next few days. She gave me the meeting scheduler information and I have requested the meeting. I am awaiting my chance to change his mind. Please have strong thoughts and wish me luck in convincing Mayor Adler that seniors playing safe golf is better for us than sheltering in place at home.
     Up until now every lockdown has lumped us in with all other activities involving city owned parks etc. All the others activities are revenue expenses. Golf is a revenue producer and can pay it own way and maintain great health among the players as a bonus. It is good for all ages and especially seniors. It is time the city recognizes one of the most important decisions it can make that has no down side. Let our people play golf. We are on a campaign to get us back on the city golf courses. We have made up our mind and we won't give up. Now the Mayor needs to change his mind on golf and get back to solving other issues. I will gladly help him out there as well should he ask.


On behalf of the ASGA Board of Directors

Travis McWhorter

President's Message - July 8, 2020

ASGA Will Attempt to Launch Again Tuesday August 11 at Riverside!

Tuesday, July 7, 2020 -The City of Austin has struck again and we must cancel our next four tournaments scheduled on city courses. The increase in Covid19 cases has resulted in the closure of all city owned courses until further notice.

     Golfing has proven to be a safe way to exercise, but has been lumped in with closures throughout the Parks and Recreation systems of Austin. We continue to try and change their minds, but at this moment our next hope for a tournament will be at Riverside on August 11, 2020. Riverside had recently confirmed that they plan to welcome us with the same safe program they provided us last time and at the same fair rate. However, just as I prepared to send this update I got word from Riverside that they have followed the city and closed for now. In the event that they get reopened in time we can still have our tournament but that remains uncertain as the city has not set a date to reopen. We will update you as we get closer to the date.

     There are a lot of unknowns going forward, but Shawn Higgins and I plan to do our best to get regular golf events available again. Riverside was our last tournament and I described it as the new beginning. It turns out it could be our new beginning again. It is our hope that our schedule with the city courses can be resumed following the Riverside event. If that does not turn out to be the case, then we will try and find a few more non-city owned courses that will offer us a deal so we can play at least biweekly or monthly until the city allows us back on their courses. The main thing is that you all stay healthy. Playing golf regularly and safely can certainly help with that.

     I have been trying to find enough things to do with golf courses closed. Just before writing this update I worked through a phone maze and left an informative message for our Mayor Adler. Another worthwhile thing is to scroll down one column and read again the wonderful message about Dr. General Garwood Marshall. He was truly a great person and wonderful example of the kind of members ASGA is proud to display to the world. We love golf and are happy to serve the world as well. He was one of our best examples!


On behalf of the ASGA Board of Directors

Travis McWhorter