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Golfers get back into the swing of things, but no high-fiving

Premier announced Thursday that privately owned golf courses, parks, boat launches, campgrounds would be permitted to reopen Saturday
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A view of Bradford Highlands Golf Club. Miriam King/Bradford Today

“Fantastic!”

That’s how Debora Miller at Innisbrook Golf Club described Saturday, both the weather and the response to the reopening of private golf courses, as part of the province’s staged reopening of the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The south-end Barrie golf course has been working on its reopening plans since the middle of April, Miller said, coming up with strategies and rules to meet safety standards, as well as keep both golfers and staff safe.

Those include online bookings only, prepayment of rounds and single riders in power carts, except for people from the same household (ID required). A hand-washing station has been installed near the first tee. The putting green has been closed, and food and beverages are available for take-out only.

Staff have instituted extra sanitation of all public spaces and frequently touched surfaces.

Golfers are asked to stay away if they have symptoms, and practise two-metre physical distancing, as well as avoid shaking hands or high-fiving.

“Everyone’s really great" and happy to follow the rules to be back on the links, Miller said.

For more information, click here.

On Thursday, Premier Doug Ford announced that privately owned golf courses, parks, boat launches and campgrounds would be permitted to reopen May 16 and in time for the Victoria Day long weekend. Other openings, including some retail stores and recreational facilities like tennis courts, are slated to begin May 19. 

It was every bit as busy at Bradford Highlands Golf Club in Bradford, where staff had also developed detailed plans for reopening, once the premier indicated that courses could reopen "soon."

“It’s very busy,” said Ryan Lamb. “We’re following all the government guidelines.”

The driving range, putting green and chipping areas are all still closed, all transactions are by debit or credit, and no food or beverages are available at this time.

Golfers are asked to practise social distancing, to bring along their own trash bag, to take home any garbage they may generate. They must arrive no more than 20 minutes before their booked tee times. And while both pull carts and power carts are available, it’s “single riders” only.

“We’re very walkable,” said Lamb.

And with the summery weather, after weeks of chilly temperatures, “we’re getting a lot of walkers today," he added. 

For more information, click here.

The Club at Bond Head in Bradford and National Pines in Innisfil are both Clublink courses and have also opened on May 16. Tee times can be booked online; check websites for more information. 


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Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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