BACK IN THE SWING
Golfers flood city courses as play resumes
Day 1 of the local golf season was liberating for Barry Rud.
“I felt like I just got out of jail,” Rud remarked after completing Friday’s hassle-free opening round at the Tor Hill Golf Course, located just east of Regina.
“I should note that the statement has no reference to my wife working from home with me. It was just nice to get out of the city and nice to finally swing a golf club.”
The opening of courses was delayed due to COVID-19 and the consequent restrictions, which were relaxed as of Friday.
Rud and the other members of his foursome — Bob Millar, Rob Schneider and Greg Smith — were among the first people to tee off.
“It was great to be out there,” Rud said. “Nothing felt really any different from previous years, other than we checked in outside of the pro shop.
“The shallow Styrofoam inserts in the cups did not appear to have any impact on any of our putts. Other than that, we really didn’t do anything different than any other year, and we really never got within 10 feet of each other.”
However, some differences were noted.
“We walked,” Rud said, “but it did seem unusual to see four carts on one hole from one group.”
Golf carts are limited to one person, or two people who reside in the same household.
Adjustments of that nature, along with other COVID -19-related alterations, were made without any hassles.
“The day has been going as well as I could have ever expected,” said Kevin Dietz, the Tor Hill’s head professional.
“The season-pass holders and patrons have been very excited to get back playing golf and have been extremely receptive to the new rules in place.
“We have had nothing but positive feedback and are looking forward to a great season.”
Comparable sentiments were expressed by Royal Regina Golf Club general manager Brian Dueck.
“What was thrilling for me was to see the excitement and joy in the members’ faces,” he said. “This is their happy place where they get to come and spend a little time.
“Obviously, they don’t get to enjoy the before or after refreshments in the clubhouse, which is also part of the experience, but they’re happy to take the little victory that they have. It’s good to see. I’m excited.”
And somewhat relieved, now that the uncertainty is gone.
“I played the scenarios out so many times because of the unknown,” Dueck said. “Were we going to open? Was it going to be June 1? May 15? May 1? Was it going to be not at all?
“You play out all these scenarios and then, when it finally shows up, maybe that exercise in itself is a good exercise because you become more prepared. Really, it has been pretty seamless.”
Dueck noted that bookings at the Royal Regina do not begin to slow down until Tuesday, thanks to the much-anticipated opening of the course, the long weekend, and a promising weather forecast.
The first few hours of golf season are similarly hectic at the Wascana Country Club.
“In my career of 40 years in the golf business, we have hit a plateau I’ve never seen before,” marvelled Wascana CEO Greg Dukart. “I’ve never seen a case where demand is outstripping supply so unbelievably.
“We’ve set our tee times at 12-minute intervals, and we’ve put our first time at 6 a.m., in foursomes. We haven’t got one opening until our last tee time available — 8 p.m. — all this weekend, every day. Those are benchmarks that I’ve never seen.”
Other course operators are undoubtedly in the same boat.
“All the golf courses in Canada, in North America, are dialed into advance tee-time reservation systems,” Dukart noted. “I think there are about four or five versions out on the marketplace. The systems are so busy right now that they’re crashing all across North America.
“These are all things that are emerging trends.
“Who would have thought of any of this six months ago?”