May 15 is the date designated for re-opening of golf courses under Phase One of Re-Open Saskatchewan, and a number of area courses intend to do just that.
The North Battleford Golf and Country Club announced last week it will be opening on May 15, but will be implementing a number of precautionary measures to ensure health and safety.
A full list of protocols is posted on their website. Among the protocols being put in place are the following:
Physical distancing of minimum six feet at all times while on property.
No walk-up traffic permitted, with all tee times be booked in advance online or by calling the pro shop at 306-937-5659.
Tee times will be booked as twosomes, threesomes for foursomes on a 20- minute interval; players will be paired together to complete a foursome.
Driving range, practice area, putting green, pro shop, clubhouse, and The Main Course Restaurant will remain closed until further notice. Main Course Restaurant will provide window/drive thru option only with all orders either phoned in ahead of time before your round, or after hole number eight on the golf course.
Lockers and club storage are closed until further notice. A washroom is available in the hallway of the north side of the clubhouse, but washrooms on the course are closed.
For the day of play, players are to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to tee time.
Players are urged to bring their golf clubs and check in with pro shop staff at the window on the south side of the pro shop. Staff will assign a power cart, which will be located just off the pro shop. Power carts are not permitted in the parking lot before, during or after your round of golf.
Staff will also provide a group scorecard and pencil along with more information to follow for Covid-19 protocols.
Shared golf carts are permitted provided occupants reside only from the same household. You may be asked to present current driver’s license to prove addresses.
Paid golfers only are permitted on the golf course with absolutely no “ride-alongs” or “walk-alongs” allowed.
Outside alcohol is not permitted.
For the day of golf, golfers must maintain physical distancing with playing partners.
Ball washers, rakes, benches, water stations, and garbage/recycling bins have been removed.
The golf club suggests that when teeing off on a hole to have only one person at the tee at any given time.
The flagstick must remain in the hole at all times. Players should avoid contact with the flagstick. If your golf ball makes contact with the raised cup it will be deemed holed.
Marshalls will monitor all golf course activity and players violating policies will be removed from the facility immediately.
After golf is over, power carts are to be returned immediately to the “power cart return” area after completion of hole 18 behind the pro shop; the carts are not permitted in the parking lot.
Some other nearby golf courses have also posted their reopening plans:
Jackfish Lodge Golf and Conference Centre at the North Battleford Provincial Park is getting ready to open up on May 15. However, according to their Facebook page, there will be restrictions. The golf course will have strict policies for cleaning, for the safety of customers and staff. The hotel and restaurant will not be open.
The indication is that they would start taking tee times as of Monday this week. They state on their Facebook page that setting tee times is a must and it will be foursomes only, with no walk-ins allowed on the course. Tee times will be spaced 12 minutes apart and players must come 15 minutes prior to tee time. There will also be plenty of signage regarding COVID-19 restrictions on the course.
As is the case with North Battleford Golf and Country Club, Jackfish Lake is asking anyone with symptoms to stay home. Anyone violating course rules will be asked to leave and be banned from the course for 2020.
Meota and District Lakeside Golf Course will have similar restrictions when they open May 15. As stated on their website, it will be compulsory to book a tee time and walkups will be turned away. It is preferred greens and cart fees are paid when booking, and the clubhouse can only be entered to use washroom facilities one at a time.
As of May 19 the clubhouse will be able to follow retail business rules where you can enter to pay fees and get refreshments. Tee times are being set at 20 minutes apart. People are urged to book as foursomes, but the golf course will try to facilitate those in a twosome or by themselves.
