When golf courses opened in Quebec on May 20th it was officially golf season in all of Canada!!!
It has been a long winter and, with safety top of mind, it has taken a while to get governmental approval and proper precautions in place to allow all courses across the country to open. With our rusty swings, and an abundance of enthusiasm, we have all been flocking to courses to get our first rounds in - but what has the experience been like?
Safe to say it has been different and not without a few stumbles.
It has been a long winter and, with safety top of mind, it has taken a while to get governmental approval and proper precautions in place to allow all courses across the country to open. With our rusty swings, and an abundance of enthusiasm, we have all been flocking to courses to get our first rounds in - but what has the experience been like?
Safe to say it has been different and not without a few stumbles.
| When courses opened, booking systems crashed from the volume of bookings. This led to a lot of frustrated golfers unable to even make a booking. At some courses, especially private courses, lotteries were put in place for tee times leading to some frustrated non lottery winners. |  |
The on-course experience has also seen a bit of a learning curve.
 | Checking in? Don’t get there too early or you won’t be allowed on the property (~30 minutes before your tee time please) and when you do get to the check in member accounts, credit, or debit only - no cash allowed. Not being allowed in early is no problem though because many courses have either closed their driving ranges and / or putting greens, or seriously limit the time you have on them, before your round. |
| Depending on the course, you either need to walk or drive 1 person per cart (often at a premium). There are no rakes in the bunkers (lift, fix up the sand and place allowed!!!), benches or all washers and the cups are either raised or blocked with pool noodles. |  |
 | Looking to get a beer or other drink on the course? For the most part no on course cart beverage services available and, depending on the course, limited food and beverage service period at outdoor snack bars or tables around the clubhouse. |
| Your round is done and you want to hang around to talk trash with your buddies? No chance, you need to leave the property immediately and save the trash talk for another day. Not a big issue though because food services are not open in the club and you can’t even buy that souvenir golf shirt in the pro shop – balls and gloves only in a lot of pro shops! |  |
With all that why even bother? Because we love the game!
It is great to be getting out to enjoy the nice weather and swing the club. Sure, it is different, but in the difficult times it is great to have the privilege of playing when so many things are shut down. A few inconveniences are no big deal when you consider it gives us the opportunity to play.
But what about on the golf management side? How at the Directors and Pros finding this brave new world?
It is great to be getting out to enjoy the nice weather and swing the club. Sure, it is different, but in the difficult times it is great to have the privilege of playing when so many things are shut down. A few inconveniences are no big deal when you consider it gives us the opportunity to play.
But what about on the golf management side? How at the Directors and Pros finding this brave new world?
TJ got in touch with a couple of PGA of Canada Members, Dennis Firth (Head Professional at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal) and Jeremy Logel (Director of Golf, Elmira Golf Club). We asked both how things were going as they reopen in the hardest hit Covid-19 provinces in Canada.
How has the golfer’s experience changed?
Dennis:
The new normal has been interesting to say the least but the members have understood the protocols and procedures are in the best interest of the safety health and well-being of themselves and all the employees at the club. It’s been a great start despite the challenges, we’ve implemented a new greeter position to welcome our members back and that’s been one of the most rewarding experiences for both sides to see the smiles on their faces as they drive onto the property.
Jeremy:
The experience for golfers is different in 2020; however, outside of a few touch points, physical distancing, the 18th green handshake and a 19th hole beverage, the actual golf course experience has not changed much. This was a key reason golf was able to open in Phase One, as once the course is prepared for play, the greatest game doesn’t require much. The golfer experiences that have changed the most are the added attractions off the course such as the clubhouse experience.
How has this challenged you and your staff and golf course operations?
Dennis:
In my particular scenario, everything this year is new as I learned the property the staff as well as the membership. What’s become abundantly clear is that we need to evolve and pivot our operations daily, if not hourly. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by great team who have adapted well to the unique circumstances.
Jeremy:
There is no question that this has been a major challenge for all involved and in all areas of the business. However, we embraced the challenge, believed in our product, our people, and in the programs we had in place. We combined our 2020 plan with the regulations set by the Government to prepare for the new season; however, the challenge will certainly continue until the restrictions fade.
Do you envision things changing as we navigate the summer?
Dennis:
Ever the optimist, I certainly hope so. We all look for great news and if we use one to two-week increments, we can see the small but significant steps towards normalcy. We need to challenge ourselves to innovate and create positive experiences which engage our members, despite the lack of social setting before or after.
Jeremy
As each phase is safely announced by the province and as our course implements our own phases within those decisions, we hope the summer season will slowly ease a little closer to normal. The change none of us want is to fall back and we are committed to best practices and feel our customers are as well.
How can we make the most of the situation as golfers and still enjoy the sport this summer?
Dennis:
The golf industry has a special opportunity gifted to them, by its very nature it lends itself to physical distancing versus other sports. We need to create an environment which is safe yet inviting for golfers of all ages and abilities. All golfers should use this opportunity to invite a friend who may not have previously tried the sport to introduce them to grow the game.
Jeremy:
Golf has always been that game you can play with anyone, of any age and any ability. After months in lock down, it’s time to call those family and friends you continue to say to in passing, “let’s set up a game sometime soon”. Now is that time to reach out. If you can keep 6’ space, keep a 4 hour pace, golf can be that sport we can all safely play this summer.
How has the golfer’s experience changed?
Dennis:
The new normal has been interesting to say the least but the members have understood the protocols and procedures are in the best interest of the safety health and well-being of themselves and all the employees at the club. It’s been a great start despite the challenges, we’ve implemented a new greeter position to welcome our members back and that’s been one of the most rewarding experiences for both sides to see the smiles on their faces as they drive onto the property.
Jeremy:
The experience for golfers is different in 2020; however, outside of a few touch points, physical distancing, the 18th green handshake and a 19th hole beverage, the actual golf course experience has not changed much. This was a key reason golf was able to open in Phase One, as once the course is prepared for play, the greatest game doesn’t require much. The golfer experiences that have changed the most are the added attractions off the course such as the clubhouse experience.
How has this challenged you and your staff and golf course operations?
Dennis:
In my particular scenario, everything this year is new as I learned the property the staff as well as the membership. What’s become abundantly clear is that we need to evolve and pivot our operations daily, if not hourly. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by great team who have adapted well to the unique circumstances.
Jeremy:
There is no question that this has been a major challenge for all involved and in all areas of the business. However, we embraced the challenge, believed in our product, our people, and in the programs we had in place. We combined our 2020 plan with the regulations set by the Government to prepare for the new season; however, the challenge will certainly continue until the restrictions fade.
Do you envision things changing as we navigate the summer?
Dennis:
Ever the optimist, I certainly hope so. We all look for great news and if we use one to two-week increments, we can see the small but significant steps towards normalcy. We need to challenge ourselves to innovate and create positive experiences which engage our members, despite the lack of social setting before or after.
Jeremy
As each phase is safely announced by the province and as our course implements our own phases within those decisions, we hope the summer season will slowly ease a little closer to normal. The change none of us want is to fall back and we are committed to best practices and feel our customers are as well.
How can we make the most of the situation as golfers and still enjoy the sport this summer?
Dennis:
The golf industry has a special opportunity gifted to them, by its very nature it lends itself to physical distancing versus other sports. We need to create an environment which is safe yet inviting for golfers of all ages and abilities. All golfers should use this opportunity to invite a friend who may not have previously tried the sport to introduce them to grow the game.
Jeremy:
Golf has always been that game you can play with anyone, of any age and any ability. After months in lock down, it’s time to call those family and friends you continue to say to in passing, “let’s set up a game sometime soon”. Now is that time to reach out. If you can keep 6’ space, keep a 4 hour pace, golf can be that sport we can all safely play this summer.
Around the Golf Away Tours office (ok, home offices) there has been a lot of celebrating that we get to play again. We've had our first physically distant round of golf as a group and while the cup was inverted, we all had to ride our own carts, and we couldn't pay off debts in the bar after the game (actually, we played a Nassau with the associate pro at Bond Head as our 4th and there was no blood - but a post game drink still would have been great!), the club did a great job of keeping everything as safe as possible and a great time was had by all.
Yes it's a bit different but, at the core, we still get to be out with our friends enjoying the game we love. As Dennis and Jeremy both mentioned this is an opportunity to innovate and, as one of the easiest to social distance sports out there, a great chance to enjoy the summer of 2020.
Enjoy the "new normal" of golf and stay safe!
Yes it's a bit different but, at the core, we still get to be out with our friends enjoying the game we love. As Dennis and Jeremy both mentioned this is an opportunity to innovate and, as one of the easiest to social distance sports out there, a great chance to enjoy the summer of 2020.
Enjoy the "new normal" of golf and stay safe!
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