Golfers will soon be able to get back on the links in Saskatchewan, but they will find a host of new rules and regulations in place as courses re-open May 15.
The new rules are in place as a result of COVID-19, and are generally being mandated by the province, or implemented by the golf sector to ensure player and staff safety.
Even with the new regulations, Allan Sauser, golf operations manager at Deer Park Golf Course said he expects a rather brisk summer for golf.
“It’s one of the few sports we’ll be allowed to do,” he said.
Sauser said looking at numbers in British Columbia where golfers have already been allowed back on courses, people want to play.
“I can tell you in B.C. there’s a spike in golf,” he said. “I expect the same here ... What else is there for people to do.”
So while interest is expected to be good, what changes should golfers expect when they head out next week?
Well to begin with they have to call ahead to book a tee time at Deer Park.
Season pass purchases and all tee time bookings must be made in advance by phone, and form of payment is required at time of purchase/booking, said Sauser.
Season passes must be paid in full prior to accessing tee times. The payment plan is suspended for the 2020 season.
All tee times are open five days in advance to all golfers.
Also golfers are going to have to realize they are at the course to golf, and then be ready to go home after finishing a round.
All practice ranges and practice greens are closed until further notice.
Beginning May 19, the Pro Shop will be available to golfers 15 minutes in advance of their tee time to a maximum of four customers, at any given time.
Golfers are only permitted at the golf course a maximum of 15 minutes prior to their tee time and must leave the course immediately upon completion of their round.
Tee times will be set 20 minutes apart until restrictions are lifted.
And services at the course are affected too.
Washroom in clubhouse will be open with a restriction of one person in each at a time, and on-course washrooms are closed until further notice.
Club storage and cleaning is not available until restrictions are lifted.
Pro Shop and limited food and beverage orders must be made, and paid by phone with curbside pickup provided, until May 19, when the service will be available in the Pro Shop.
The restaurant will re-open when provincial rules allow, said Sauser.
Others rules will be posted at the course, and may change as the province moves through its Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
