The Weyburn Golf Club is preparing for opening on Friday, May 15, with an extensive set of guidelines set out that the course must follow to reopen.
The club stated on their Facebook page, “We will follow these rules to the letter and continue to post updates on social media and our website in the form of FAQ for tee times, F&B, memberships, etc. Membership information to follow.”
The golf course will remain closed until May 15th to the public. Since walking-up will not be allowed, the golf club is asking golfers to reach out before May 15 if they haven’t purchased a membership yet. It will have to be paid upon booking tee times.
Some of the revised guidelines within the updated version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan include:
• A maximum of four players per group is permitted. There is a limit of one person per golf cart, unless the occupants reside in the same household.
• Tee times must be a minimum of 12 minutes apart to avoid congestion on the course.
• Flags must remain in place and measures must be taken to prevent the ball from dropping in the hole, eliminating the need for players to contact the pin or cup. This may include such measures as leveling the cup, elevating the cup or installing a touch-free ball removal mechanism.
• Driving ranges and practice putting/chipping greens can open if physical distancing (minimum of two metres) is maintained. Range balls must be cleaned and disinfected between customers. For the practice putting/chipping greens, flags must remain in place and measures must be taken to prevent the ball from dropping in the hole. This may include such measures as leveling the cup, elevating the cup or installing a touch-free ball removal mechanism.
• Group lessons and tournaments are prohibited. League play and one-on-one lessons may occur if all other criteria are met.
• Rental golf carts, whether motorized of pull carts, must be extensively cleaned and disinfected after each rental. Golf club rentals are permitted, but the clubs must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each rental.
In addition, the provincial guidelines for golf courses require the facilities to expand cleaning and disinfection of common high-touch areas; physical distancing must be observed at all times; and employees must have access to gloves and sanitizing wipes.
The course has to have signage to warn players of the risks of COVID-19, and any players who exhibit any signs of illness will not be permitted to play.
All rakes and ball washers must be removed from the course, and washroom facilities on the course are to be closed to the public and to players. Also, bulk scorecard, pencil and tee holders are to be removed from starter areas.
