GCSAA provides emergency relief for members affected by natural disasters

Members who meet the criteria for personal loss are eligible for assistance
How quickly things change. From 2011 to late 2016, California was mired in a historic drought that brought many hardships to local communities and golf courses. In five quick months, the state has gone from record dry to record rain and snowfall throughout most parts of the state. As they say, "when it rains it pours".
In light of the recent flooding throughout the state, the damaged spillway at Oroville Dam and the potential for increased flooding this spring due to runoff from the Sierra Nevada mountains, I wanted to use this blog to remind you that GCSAA does provide an emergency relief fund for members during times of natural disaster. While it cannot be used at the facility level, GCSAA members who meet the below criteria for personal loss would be eligible for assistance.
The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to GCSAA members who suffer personal loss or medical hardship.

• Any GCSAA member is eligible for this assistance.
• The amount of the assistance provided shall differ by situation up to a maximum of $2,500 per claim.

Initially, GCSAA will provide financial assistance (intended to assist with clothing, food and shelter) to members who contact us (via phone or email) and whose daily lives are altered by the effects of the event and who meet ANY of the following criteria:

• Had to relocate/evacuate (whether they are staying with family, friends or in a motel) from their homes and were not able to immediately return following the event due to damage.
• Remained in their homes, but lost basic necessities such as electricity, water, etc. for a period greater than 48 hours, which lead to unexpected financial burden.
• Are employed at a golf course that sustains substantial damage and may not be a source of employment going forward.

Note: These members will not be required to provide us with any documentation or invoices other than a verbal or email explanation of costs incurred and verification on our end that they are within the affected area.
Our goal is to provide financial assistance as quickly as possible.
Once our members have had an opportunity to truly assess their long-term situation, in terms of personal loss and employment status, we will make available the entire $2,500 following more closely the aforementioned criteria.
Those in need of assistance can contact Scott Woodhead at GCSAA at 800-472-7878 or swoodhead@gcsaa.org.
While we hope that this is one benefit our members never need to use, it is available to those in need should the circumstance arise.