Preparations are in the works at Thunder Bay golf courses to open in anticipation of the province bringing back some sense of normal amid COVID-19 restrictions.
The city’s supervisor of golf operations is Pat Berezowski, who tells us a minimal number of staff are working at Chapples and Strathcona golf courses, in anticipation of the call from the government.
“My first priority right now is making sure our conditions are to a point where we can open fairly quickly, when we do get that order, coming out of winter making sure the greens are healthy,” says the golf supervisor.
As golfers cling to hope fairways open soon, they may be met with some restrictions, ideas which Berezowski says he got by looking outside Ontario.
“I can only go by what some of the other provinces have done, with tee times, as regular tee times are 10 minutes apart. We’re looking at some going 15 minutes apart,” says Thunder Bay’s golf manager.
He adds the changes don’t stop there, as there’ll be modifications to the cup golfers aim for.
“So the golf ball doesn’t fall so far into the cup that people can easily take it out with their hands, without touching the flag stick. Such things as ball washers and benches won’t be on the golf course,” notes the golf supervisor.
Other restrictions could include the number of people allowed, all ideas the golf supervisor says should be consistent at all courses.
