If you think you are frustrated with the delay in the golf season – imagine what it feels like for Baxter Creek owners and staff who would normally be welcoming back customers this week to dust off their game on the fresh greens after a winter of planning and preparing for the 2020 season.
The club recently sent a message to its members outlining the current situation at the club. They are observing the recommendations of local, provincial and federal health agencies to protect its customers and staff, which means they are closed for business at the moment.
On a more positive note, they are monitoring the situation and are pleased that the golf course itself has wintered well, and they have been able to perform essential maintenance on the course which will enable them to open as soon as the emergency is lifted which they hope will occur within the next few weeks.
When they do open, operations will look a little different to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements. For example, they have set up set up single file entry and exit points in the club house, to adhere to social distancing requirements there will be single riders only in each cart unless the riders are family members. On the greens they have an apparatus to retrieve golf ball from the greens hole with a putter, and they will continue disinfecting surfaces touched by golfers and employees.
The signs are good that golf clubs will be among the first businesses in Ontario granted permission to open with revised procedures in the coming weeks. In BC, golf courses were never asked to close in response to COVID-19, and provinces including Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have identified them as business in the first phase of reopening.
Let’s hope opening day on the course arrives soon.
KG
