The Country Club of Darien told members in an email that it was closing the club at 7 p.m., Sunday (yesterday, March 15) and didn’t expect to reopen for at least a week.
The reason: A guest who tested positive for COVID-19 participated in the recent Paddle Nationals at the club on Saturday and used the Men’s Locker Room at some point between 4 and 6 p.m. that day.
The email, from club President Doug Rischmann, went out just 36 seconds before 7 p.m., Sunday (at “6:59:24 PM”). Darienite.com received a copy of the emailed announcement from someone who received a copy after it had been forwarded more than once.
“This individual was also in the Men’s Locker Room at some point between 4 and 6 p.m. that day,” Rischmann wrote. “As a precaution, anyone that was on site that day should check local and national guidelines and if you experience any symptoms, contact your physician as appropriate.” It was unclear from the email whether “on site” referred to the entire club property at 300 Mansfield Ave. or just the Men’s Locker Room.
It also wasn’t clear whether or not the club had told the public at large about the incident so that any non-members of the club who were there would know whether or not they were at risk of coming into contact with the male who tested positive. The club’s website homepage didn’t have any announcement about the closing as of 9 a.m., Monday, and a look at the website didn’t show an announcement.
During the closure, the club will be cleaned, Rischmann wrote, and members but not guests could still use the golf course: “During this one week closure the clubhouse, locker rooms, fitness center, paddle hut, paddle courts, hitting bays, driving range and pro shop will all be closed. The golf course will continue to be open to members only (no guests) but without the associated services.”
Full Text of the Announcement
“CCD” refers to Country Club of Darien.
Dear fellow member,
CCD’s Board of Directors and management team continue to closely monitor developments related to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Our primary concern has always been the health and welfare of our membership and staff.
To that end, we have been considering the appropriate, safest and most socially considerate course of action for us here at CCD. In addition, we have been advised that a guest who was asymptomatic when attending Paddle Nationals while here on the afternoon of Saturday, March 7 has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
This individual was also in the Men’s Locker Room at some point between 4 and 6 p.m. that day. As a precaution, anyone that was on site that day should check local and national guidelines and if you experience any symptoms, contact your physician as appropriate.
In the interest of the well-being of everyone in the CCD Family, we will be closing the Club effective at 7 p.m. this evening, Sunday, March 15. First thing tomorrow morning we will begin a deep sanitization process of all areas of the club. We will maintain this closure for one week through Monday, March 23. We will reevaluate at that time and will certainly keep you abreast of when and what facilities will be re-opening.
During this one week closure the clubhouse, locker rooms, fitness center, paddle hut, paddle courts, hitting bays, driving range and pro shop will all be closed. The golf course will continue to be open to members only (no guests) but without the associated services.
We also ask that if you will be playing golf you continue to use ForeTees to limit the interaction amongst golfers at the first tee and to track who is on property. The Bag Room and Locker Rooms will be open tomorrow, Monday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for members to retrieve their golf clubs and anything you may need out of your lockers. Access to these areas will not be available during the closure.
We will continue to monitor the evolving circumstances related to this pandemic and further communications regarding the coming weeks and specific club activities in April will be forthcoming. Many thanks for your cooperation, understanding and support as we work through these uncertain times.
My very best,
Doug Rischmann
President