Golf courses feeling teed off over closures

By Medicine Hat News on April 14, 2020.

They had three days last week, but there’s no telling when golfers will get their next chance to swing the sticks on a course in Medicine Hat this year.

Public health emergency rules regarding essential services were clarified last Thursday while players were still on the greens at Paradise Valley Golf Course, which had become just the second course in Alberta to open amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We didn’t see the news release, so literally people were calling the pro shop and saying they were sending the police down because we were supposed to be closed,” said Dawn Postnikoff, co-owner of Paradise Valley. “We got the formal letter and shut down right away, took people off the course and sent them home.”

While other Hat-area courses hadn’t opened, the privately-owned par-3 went ahead April 5 with numerous measures in place to ensure social distancing and prevent the virus from spreading. The pro shop and clubhouse were closed, tee times were staggered by 20 minutes, and a staff member directed traffic and enforced rules such as keeping six feet away from the nearest person.

They opened again April 6 but bad weather kept the course closed until April 9, on which date Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw was asked during her daily press conference whether golf courses should remain open. The province had already prohibited people from going to all public recreation facilities but hadn’t specifically called out golf.

“My position is that golf courses are a non-essential service,” said Hinshaw. “Golf courses are not accessible to the public at this time because they are not an essential service.”

The message hasn’t been well-received by many avid duffers, who are increasingly frustrated because they feel courses are able to keep them safe. One online petition asking for golf courses to be allowed had more than 20,000 signatures as of Monday night.

“Obviously I figured it was coming, but it’s kind of frustrating,” said Trevor Ellerman, general manager and a co-owner at Desert Blume Golf Club. “After they announced it, the next day I’m at the grocery store looking around and there’s at least 50 people in the grocery store … including the staff. Let’s call it two acres, no security, and all we’re hoping to do is put 60 people on 120 acres of open air. And we pay people to marshal it and patrol it.”

Ellerman figures his club would be open this coming weekend if not for the provincial restrictions. Maintenance staff are still allowed to do their jobs to keep the course ready for whenever it is allowed.

Lethbridge’s Land O Lakes is the only other course in Alberta which opened so far. The National Allied Golf Association Alberta, which represents four golf-related associations, sent a letter to its members noting that British Columbia has allowed its courses to remain open so long as “strict health and safety protocols are in place.”

“I believe that we have a strong plan in place to protect both our customers and staff,” said Cottonwood Coulee general manager Mac Baker. “Golf is one of the very few activities that can be enjoyed while still maintaining social distancing guidelines.”

The debate according to the province isn’t whether golf can be managed safely. It’s whether it’s an essential service. Asked Monday by a Calgary-based columnist, Hinshaw reiterated that point.

“The reason we’ve been more successful than other jurisdictions is because Albertans have been willing to make sacrifices to protect the greater good,” she said. “I want to assure Albertans that these restrictions will not be in place forever.

“I would say to golfers, again the same thing I would say to other Albertan s… is we are looking very closely at our numbers, and that as we get to a point where we can think about easing restrictions, outdoor recreation is certainly on that list of things to be considered.”

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