Hitting the golf course will look different this season
Posted May 1, 2020 9:14 am.
Last Updated May 1, 2020 9:15 am.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Golf courses in Alberta are slated to open this weekend but things will look much different.
As part of its relaunch strategy, the provincial government will allow golf courses to open but with restrictions.
The news came as a welcome relief for golf enthusiasts.
“We worked closely with all segments of our industry and government to support them with the proper tools to be successful with the prevention of COVID-19 challenges,” said President of Alberta Golf Robert Rousselle.
“The opening of the Golf Industry is a positive step forward in helping Albertans with mental health, physical activity and the recovery of our provincial economy.”
New update from the Province. Courses that are ready can open MAY 2ND. https://t.co/IWjZNGkeP9
— Alberta Golf (@Alberta_Golf) May 1, 2020
However as the greens will be open and ready, the pro shops and clubhouses will remain closed.
According to Golf Calgary, this means you need to pay upfront.
“You’re paying before you get to the golf course,” said Slade King with Golf Calgary. “We would stop you at the gate when you arrive at the golf course to make sure you have a tee time. You’re not showing up to the golf course more than 20 minutes before your tee time so we don’t have too many groups in the parking lot at a time.”
King goes on to say several other steps will be taken to keep golfers at a safe distance.
“You can play golf completely from start to finish staying two metres apart from staff and other golfers. We’re ready to put that plan in place now that the government gave us the go-ahead.”
The province has been under pressure to consider golf courses an essential service and allow them to open, following in the footsteps of other provinces like British Columbia.
A petition calling for courses to open was launched last month and has since received over 53,000 signatures.
WATCH: Alberta golfers hope to tee off with new protocols
At the end of it all, King reminds fellow golfers that hitting the links this time won’t be the same.
“There’s going to be no rakes, there’s no ball washers. We’ve developed a lifting device to use your putter to lift a handle up and it spits your ball out of the cup. (It’s) basically so people don’t touch the flagsticks.”
