Good Evening,
I think we dodged a bit of a bullet….
Based on the information yesterday from the Province of Ontario we will be able to open on Saturday, April 10th in spite of the province wide stay at home order. Our partners at “We are Golf” have been instrumental in ensuring that the government understands that golf is not only a safe activity, but has many other mental and physical health benefits. That said, it is now on us to do everything we can to ensure we stay open for the next 28 days. We don’t get a mulligan on this one. We have already been warned by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce that inspections will increase and we can only imagine that for many “non golfers” there will be potential resentment that golf is allowed to continue when their activity of choice may not have been so lucky. Fines have been increased, and we do not want to have any situations where our members are fined and/or suspended for something as silly as not following the guidelines in place.
The health authorities are permitting golf to be played as long as physical distancing requirements are complied with by staff and golfers. Safety of our staff and members remains the primary concern. If we wish to be able to continue to play golf during the COVID-19 crisis, it is extremely important that every golfer abide by physical distancing and the protocols listed below while on the property.
We hope that you will appreciate being able to play golf during this difficult time. Follow the rules and use common sense. Play safe!
On behalf of the Professional Staff,
Dan Roud
PGA of Canada
Golf Shop Manager
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE COMING TO THE CLUB?
For those members who were with us in 2020, our protocols will mirror how we started last season. With our Golf Shop closed for in person retail shopping and our Food & Beverage indoor & outdoor dining restricted, there really is no reason to be at the club for any amount of time before and/or after your round. Social gatherings are not permitted and the optics of groups of more than 5 individuals gathering before their tee times is something that we need to avoid at all times. The most notable addition to our 2020 protocols are the new masking in cart guidelines introduced by the province of Ontario (Click Here to Read)
For specific details regarding what is allowed Before, During & After your round please CLICK HERE.
What is open & closed?
The clubhouse is essentially closed. Washrooms by the putting green will be available for members to use prior to their round. The 19th hole is open for take out only and the Golf Shop is open for curbside pickup only. Locker rooms and other amenities will remain closed during the 28 day stay at home order.
An Example Member Timeline
Near the 1st tee area you will find 3 pylons. The pylon closest to the parking lot we are going to refer to as our “waiting room”. Members should not arrive on property more than 25 minutes in advance of their tee time. (The exception to this is a member who has booked a practice range time in advance through member central). Members should then take 5 minutes to collect your equipment and/or power or push cart and then they are free to head to the warm up practice areas (reserved spots for members 20 minutes before their tee time). Should you not wish to practice before hand you can head to the “waiting room” until it is your turn to access the putting green/”on deck” area (pylon #2). The final pylon is our 1st tee and you will be directed there by our Starter when it is your turn to prepare to tee off.
25 minutes before tee time: Member is permitted to arrive on property (exception for those members with a previously booked practice range time)
10 minutes before tee time: Members are permitted to head to the pylon by the Putting Green and begin using the Putting Green ONLY once the previous group has moved to the 1st tee. At this point in time, members are also encouraged to use this 10 minute period to pick up and curbside items from the golf shop and/or collect any take out items (snacks, food & drinks) from the Golf Shop or 19th hole.
Tee Time: Our Starters will welcome you to the 1st tee and remind you of a few of the protocols in place. They will also be asking members who are using a power cart to declare that they understand and will abide by the Ontario Mask in Cart policy (linked to above).
Immediately after golf: Members will complete their round, taking all of their belongings with them and depositing of any garbage in the appropriately marked areas. Carts are to be returned to the drop off area where they will be sanitized and cleaned. Once those things are completed, members are asked to leave the property at that time.
GOLFER CHECKLIST
No different than packing for your next trip. Here are some helpful items you will need to pack before your first visit to the golf club:
Divot Tool - Let’s keep those greens in great shape all season long
Hand Sanitizer - Keep a small bottle in your golf bag to sanitize your hands after touching doors, rakes and/or other amenities.
Mask - Masks are required in the Building and on the Carts (if shared with a member not in your same household)
Pencil - We will have pencils available, but to limit contact points feel free to bring your own
Towels - Towels will not be provided to limit contact points, we have an excellent selection available for sale in the Golf Shop
Mobile Scoring App - Use the Golf Canada app instead of a scorecard to keep track of your hole by hole scores. Reminder that handicap season starts in Ontario on April 15th.
A water bottle which you will be able to use at the touchless refillable water station outside the golf shop.
CART AVAILABILITY
Our goal is to get as many members on and off the golf course safely and efficiently. We are starting this year with our normal 9 minute tee time intervals. As a result, we will not have the ability to offer “single rider” carts. The only exception will be made for medical reasons. Those medical exceptions must be documented and submitted prior to arrival.
CLUB STORAGE
For the duration of the stay at home order we will not be offering Club Storage and/or Club Cleaning services. Based on the recommendations and guidelines provided to us, to ensure the safety of our members and our staff, your personal equipment should remain in your possession at all times to limit contact points and potential exposures. Our club storage area is an indoor extension of our building, which as noted above is closed during the 28 day stay at home order.
GOLF SHOP (RETAIL CURB SIDE PICKUP)
The Golf Shop is closed for individual shopping and/or browsing. We will be working to showcase items on the online store and introduce a virtual shopping experience by appointment starting next week. Stay tuned for more info.
In the meantime, a reminder that the Golf Shop can provide curbside pickup for any last minute items, as well as take-out service for snacks & drinks. You will be permitted to enter the shop to collect these items during the 10 minute window before your tee time when you are in the “on deck” area.
Our staff will still be available to answer the phones and help with tee time bookings and charges of any cart and/or guest fees.
All charges will be on member account.
ELEVATOR
The lift by the 18th green will not be available for use in 2021. In it’s place, we have brought in an additional 4 carts that will be specifically designated for use after completing the 18th hole. Once you have returned your clubs to your vehicle, please return the cart to the back shop drop off where a member of our team will sanitize it and return it to the 18th green site.
Walkers are encouraged to wear a mask and share the designated carts coming up the hill. With a busy tee sheet and depending on the time of day, our back shop staff may not otherwise be able to sanitize all 4 carts and return them before the next group finishes play on the 18th.