COURSE & GROUNDS

A lightning detection system will sound if the radar locates active lightning strikes within a set radius of the property.  A single, continuous siren/horn blast indicates that play is suspended immediately.  Golfers must return to the clubhouse, golf shop, maintenance facility or cars, not take shelter anywhere on the golf course.

An intermittent horn/siren blast will indicate that lightning has not been detected for 30 minutes and play may resume.

Employees will not be deployed onto the golf course after a single horn/siren blast indicating lightning in the area.  The onus is on golfers to seek shelter in a designated safe area and remain there until the all-clear has sounded.
 
We have reduced the lightning detection parameters to 10 miles (16km) from 12.5 miles (20km). The reset time has also been reduced to 20 minutes from 30. Be aware that should another lightning strike within 10 miles be detected within the 20-minute countdown, the clock resets and starts counting down from 20 again.

At Ladies’, the policy is that if you hear one long blast of the siren indicating lightning has been detected, play is to stop immediately. For your safety, all of our shelters on the course have been fitted with lightning protection so the safest place is inside the structure. Those closest to the clubhouse or golf shop are encouraged to return to one of the buildings.

If you are on the Bayview or Yonge St. Ranges, the safest place is your car to wait out the return to play horn. As staff are not directed out onto the property to check if all play has stopped, the impetus is on each golfer to seek shelter.  If you are arriving to the Bayview Range and see the light above the pumphouse flashing, this indicates that we are in a lightning delay. These lights are also installed on stations near the washroom north of the 7th green and on top of the maintenance building.

The Club’s Joint Health & Safety Committee has a detailed set of procedures to protect our members, GCH, guests, and employees in the event of emergency.  We strongly urge every group playing golf to have at least one cell phone easily accessible for use in an emergency.

The emergency procedures are as follows:
1. Remain calm.
2. Do not call 911. Alert an employee or call the Club emergency line at ext. 555 and inform them of your exact location and describe the nature of the emergency.
3. Depending upon the nature of the emergency, trained employees will be dispatched to the location to deal with the emergency and/or call 911.

Remaining calm and following the above procedures are critical to successfully handling emergencies on our property.  The Joint Health & Safety Committee is responsible for ensuring annual training and certification of key staff on AED, CPR, and basic first aid.