Golfers excited to return to course without COVID-19 restrictions

REGINA -

Local golfers are thankful for a taste of normalcy, as the Saskatchewan Business Response Team gave golf courses the green light last week.

The province entered Step Two of the Reopening Roadmap last Sunday, which included the removal of all restrictions on sports. For golfers, this meant they could remove the flagstick on the green, rake bunkers, and ball and club cleaners have been returned to the tee boxes.

“It was weird being able to take the flag out and holding it in my hand and looking at the cup with no flag in it – it was different,” said Brad Lovatt, head professional at the Long Creek Golf Course. “And the sound of the ball going in the hole, there was a mini cheer in our group and I’m sure that’s the same for a lot of people.”

Lifter systems, pool noodles, PVC pipe and hockey pucks that were previously in place to block holes have been removed.

“We are back to playing a sport in a pre-COVID environment – with obviously some social distancing requirements being adhered to by the participants,” said Brian Lee, executive director and CEO of Golf Saskatchewan.

Lee said each course has the ability to keep the previous rules in place if they so chose. At Long Creek Golf Course, they felt comfortable trusting those making the decisions to remove the restrictions.

“With everything progressing towards being safer in general and trusting the group we have set up within the golf industry that’s looking into these things and making sure they stay on top of the changes and what’s safe and what isn’t,” said Lovatt. “We’re really thankful to have that group.”

As a golfer himself, Lee welcomes the changes with excitement.

“For the true enthusiast of the sport, this is a great move and a step forward to whatever our new normal is. It’s a small semblance of our game which is being able to putt with the option of the player rather than a government enticed mandate on that choice,” Lee said.

However, not every restriction in place has been removed. Masks are still mandatory indoors until July 11. Lovatt says some of the cleaning measures – like disinfecting golf carts after use – will remain at his course.

In an email, the Government of Saskatchewan said the business response team has worked closely with Golf Saskatchewan to make sure all members are aware of changes to restrictions.