Golf courses see numbers up due to pandemic
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Golf courses have been able to benefit from the lack of other outdoor activities available during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The courses were allowed to open as of May 16, while other sporting activities have been left waiting.
Mike Leonard, pro shop co-ordinator at Norfolk Golf and Country Club, said they have had a successful beginning to the season.
“We are quite ahead of last year,” he said. “The number of members, as well as the number of green fee plays, is significantly higher than what we had last year.”
Leonard said he has heard similar sentiments at other courses.
“The saying that I’ve been hearing at the golf courses I’ve been to is, ‘golf courses have really enjoyed the benefits of the pandemic,’” said Leonard. “Golf is the only sport that they’re allowing individuals to partake in so we’ve definitely seen an increase.”
Brad Halyk, general manager at The Greens at Renton, said one of the biggest challenges was the short time between the provincial announcement on May 14 that courses could open and opening a couple of days later.
“It’s a slower process, everything takes a little longer, but I think we’ve had a pretty good opening through the season,” said Halyk.
The Greens has implemented 12-minute tee times to allow physical distancing between groups starting their rounds, up from the usual eight minutes.
“From sun up to sun down, it’s been busy,” he said. “We’re packed. We’re up probably 20 per cent, I would say.”
Halyk also attributed the surge in golfers to the lack of other sports available.
“It’s like we’re the only game in town. It has certainly helped.”
All courses have had to implement safety protocols, including one person per cart, providing hand sanitizer and now informing guests that they will need to wear masks in all indoor spaces beginning Aug. 3 as per Norfolk County’s bylaw.
“We’re using the days leading up to Monday as an education period to let all of our members and our walk-in clientele understand the expectations will be there,” said Leonard.
Courses also have removed for now high-touch points along the greens, including ball wash stations.
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