Hillcrest, Lynbrook getting ready to open May 15

You’ll find very few people in Moose Jaw more excited about Re-Open Saskatchewan right now that Jasmine Cameron and Dwight Bearchell.

Cameron, the general manager at the Hillcrest Golf Club and Bearchell, pro shop manager at the Lynbrook Golf Club, were both over the moon last week after the Government of Saskatchewan announced Phase One of the COVID-19 recovery plan would include the reopening of golf courses across the province as of May 15.

That gives both courses two weeks to get ready, and both were quick to say that when tee time comes, they’ll be ready to go.

For Cameron and the Hillcrest, the news came at the perfect time, even with the myriad of restrictions that will be in place.

“It’ll be a lot different, but honestly the news today is so good,” she said. “We knew we were one of the first businesses in the soft opening of phase one, but we didn’t know what date they were going to throw out. It could have been July 1 or even later.

“So we’re happy, we’re going to follow all protocols to make sure everyone is healthy.”

Naturally, Bearchell carried much the same sentiment. “We think it’s great,” he said with a tone of happiness and relief. “There’s still some time but it’s nice that we have a definite plan and we can plan to match that plan. They’ve included a whole bunch of rules and it’s good to have them because we want our people to be safe out and the golfer to be safe as well… People have to get some normalcy back in their lives again, but we want everyone to be safe.”

The Lynbrook appears to have wintered well, and their grounds crew have been keeping up with maintenance just in case good news came. Now that it’s arrived, it’s all hands on deck.

“The course is pretty decent shape, our people have been out there working, the course is looking good and it’ll be more than ready by the 15th,” Bearchell said. “They have lots of time to do some prep work on it, some things that weren’t quite up to par. We didn’t have a lot of snowfall this winter, and that can hurt your golf course, but I’m sure by the 15th we’ll be ready.

It’s important that we get all that stuff straightened around, so when people can finally get out there, it’ll be well worth their time and the course will be in good shape.”

Over at the Hillcrest, it’s been a skeleton staff working on keeping things going: Cameron and a handful of course workers and volunteers, in time when they’d normally have more than 20 staff on the go.

“Our superintendent is out there working on the greens and the course with some volunteer help, but they’ve been working some long, hard hours to get the course ready and maintained,” Cameron said.

Once things do open, it won’t be the same game people are used to. From raised cups your ball has to hit to finish a hole, to 20-minute staggered tee times and rules when it comes to clubhouses, the list is long and encompassing. Those clubhouse rules are rather ironic, too, considering the situation at the Hillcrest.

“It’s disheartening for us, we’re just finishing up our brand new clubhouse,” Cameron said with rueful laugh, referring to the major renovation that added new bathrooms, expanded kitchen facilities and a host of other improvements. “But if we have to wait and it keeps people safe, then it’s all for the best.”

Bearchell is taking much the same approach. “There’s a long list of rules, but to avoid COVID-19, that’s what we have to do if we want to get out and play,” he said.

The key to it all going forward will be seeing the public continue to take the intelligent and thoughtful approach Saskatchewan has seen throughout the pandemic, ensuring the restrictions don’t come back in place. “Fingers crossed, too, though, that society still understands the whole social distancing thing,” Cameron said. “We’re lucky enough where our province is at and we’ve been given a green light. But there’s nothing keeping that way, nothing saying that in a months time that if the numbers get bad we’re closed again.

“It’s a huge deal that we all work together with this, but it’s truly a blessing for us to see a date of May 15 for us to open.”

Both golf courses have their offices open and are renewing and taking new memberships, be sure to contact the Hillcrest at (306) 693-1921, the Lynbrook at (306) 6922838 or check out their websites www.hillcrestgolf.ca and ww.lynbrookgolf.org for more information.

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With golf courses throughout Saskatchewan set to open on May 15 as part of the provincial government’s ReOpen Saskatchewan plan, a host of stringent measures have been put in place in order to limit and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Expand cleaning and disinfection of common/hightouch surfaces in accordance with the public health order.

• Physical distancing must be observed at all times, with a minimum of two metres between individuals.

• Employees must have access to gloves and sanitizing wipes, and are required to stay home if they are unwell or symptomatic.

• Signage must be posted to caution players about the risks of COVID-19.

• Players exhibiting signs of illness will not be permitted to play.

• All players must have a tee time, no walk-on players will be permitted.

• Payment must be made in advance by telephone or online – cash cannot be accepted.

• Tee times must be a minimum of 20 minutes apart to avoid congestion on the course.

• Flags must remain in place and cups elevated so the ball does not drop into the hole. Play is concluded when the ball makes contact with the cup.

• All rakes and ball washers must be removed from the course.

• Washroom facilities on the course must remain closed to players and the public.

• Driving range and practice putting/chipping greens must remain closed at all times.

• Walking is encouraged.

• Limit of one person per golf cart, unless the occupants reside in the same household.

• If rental golf carts are used, they must be fully sanitized between uses.

• Golf club and pull-cart rentals are prohibited.

• Remove bulk scorecard, pencil and tee holders from starter areas.

• Retail sales must be restricted to curbside pick-up or delivery.

• All food and beverage service is suspended, except curbside pick-up or delivery. Call-ahead for pick up.

• Washrooms at the clubhouse will be sanitized regularly, with only one individual allowed at a time.

• Drink/snack carts may not operate.

• Locker rooms must be closed. Players can change footwear in the parking lot.

• The clubhouse (with exception of the washrooms) and common spaces (decks, gazebos, and picnic areas) must remain closed.

• Private/group lessons, league play and tournaments are prohibited.

For additional information, please call the Business Response Team at 1-844-800-8688 or email supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca.