Golfers could be teeing off in a few weeks
Peterborough clubs ready to adapt to restrictions expected once they get green light from province to open
Premier Doug Ford’s announcement that golf courses can start preparing to open was welcome news to course operators.
But many questions remain as to what restrictions will be in place because of COVID-19 when courses do open.
Golf course superintendents were deemed an essential service last month so most courses are ready or close to ready, say operators.
Kawartha Golf and Country Club general manager Jamie Carter said Ford’s announcement got golfers excited.
“It made quite a difference,” Carter said. “A lot of members who were unsure about what was going on are very positive and joining back up. We’ve gone from wondering if we’d have any golf this year to what month we might get it back in to I’d have to think now it’s merely weeks away.”
Ontario hasn’t provided details on what restrictions will be in place. Carter says there is inconsistency among provinces which have opened or are about tn.
“We wait for guidance. We’ve seen guidance from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, B.C. and what they can and cannot do on the course, what food services are available, tee time intervals. It’s a dog’s breakfast. There is no consistency between the provinces,” he said.
The consistent measures include the removal of things people touch like rakes, benches, ball washers. Other measures include shallow cups so flag poles don’t have to be removed for ball retrieval and staggered tee times.
The questions pertain to washroom clubhouse and pro shop access, food service limitations, golf cart limitations and practice facility use.
“However the provincial government allows us to open we’re in a situation where the revenue will be very welcome so we’ll make it happen one way or another,” said Liftlock
Golf Club general manager Brian Kruk. “We’ll go over and above to make our members and guests feel more than welcome.”
“It’s going to be very different especially for us,” said Kevin Carter, head pro and co-owner of The Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore.
“Our business model is a little different than some other clubs. We do a lot of weddings and tournaments. I don’t think we’re going to be allowed to do those for a good part of the summer.”
He says golfers seem eager to get going so he thinks traffic will be OK but there will be a social impact if clubhouses are closed.
“It’s a club, too, not just a golf course. People are used to coming and spending a good part of the day here. Now they’re probably going to come and go,” he said.
Jamie Carter said charities who rely on tournament fundraisers will take a hit.
No matter when they open courses will take a financial hit.
“We’re not the only ones,” said Kevin Carter, “especially seasonal businesses, cottages resorts. There are tons of people who are going to be hurting and we’re no exception.”
“This will erode ancillary revenues,” Jamie Carter said.
Kruk said a lot of course maintenance costs are fixed so there aren’t a lot of ways to cut costs.
“One of the biggest fears,” said Kevin Carter, “is we open and then it closes back down again, after we stock up with stuff, if the numbers spike again. That could look bad for a lot of businesses not just golf courses. Hopefully we can open and stay open and have good weather.”
What is also tough is that courses could have opened early this year.
Jamie Carter said KGCC would otherwise be open by now.
“It would have been one of our earlier openings yet,” he said. “Our course is in fantastic shape.… If we opened tomorrow we’d have summer conditions.”
“This is one of the few years we might have been able to open in April,” said Kevin Carter.