It may have started with questions as to how pandemic protocols would impact the season, but it ended on such a successful note it took the staff of the Outlook Riverview Golf Club by surprise.
Clubhouse Manager Hannah Taylor said, “We went into the 2020 season with a lot of unknowns and expecting it to be a bit of a flop year, and we were very surprised by how it turned out. We had an extremely busy season.”
The season began with several restrictions in place so golfers had to adapt to new ways of doing things. As some of those restrictions lifted, it made a big impact on how many golfers could be accommodated, particularly after June 5 when the restriction to one person per power cart was lifted. “This was a relief,” Hannah explained, “especially as we unfolded into a busier than usual season, and allowed a maximum of 40 cart riders rather than 20. However, we trusted that our golfers were limiting their shared cart to those within their ‘bubbles’.”
Flagsticks remained in the cups for the full season. “We started with a ball lifter to eliminate any need to touch the flagstick,” Hannah shared, “and finished the season with a pool noodle cut below the hole as the lifters were worn.” Ball washers weren’t used, nor were rakes, but they were able to open their seating areas at the Clubhouse with limited capacities. “We had food and beverage services but kept everything in a Ready-To-Go form with single use containers,” Hannah said.
There were multiple guidelines staff needed to keep current with as they dealt with course requirements, clothing and retail protocols as well as licensed establishment regulations. “So we had a lot to keep up with to ensure we were abiding to all, but also were very fortunate to re-open each part of the business under each phase,” Hannah remarked.
Initially they regretted being unable to hold any tournaments this year but towards the end of the season they were able to proceed with some including the Club Championship, the Ryder Cup (Outlook vs Delisle) and the Jinx of Jordan. The tournaments had limits to avoid over-capacity and they didn’t run a shotgun start but they were pleased to have proceeded with these special events. They were also able to run their League, with some adjustments. “We had to modify our format as we usually had fun side games but ran a season long leaderboard instead,” Hannah explained.
All of their efforts led to a very successful season, including seeing new, young golfers take to the links, and new memberships in the Junior and Intermediate categories. Hannah said this is “great news moving forward. We hope that it was not just a fad for 2020 for individuals to take up golfing, but that it was a door opened for many years to come.”
More than 15, 548 rounds were played this year by golfers who expressed their enthusiasm for the course, and that bodes well for the future. “One of the highlights of this season was hearing so much positivity about our course from players all over the province who were returning after several years or playing it for the first time,” Hannah remarked. “We gained a positive reputation in the province for a beautiful gem of a course and that brought many golfers to our course for the first time and many of which will be repeat customers in the coming years.”
With the success of the 2020 season amidst the challenges, the future for the Outlook Riverview Golf Club looks bright. Hannah is hopeful the positive things that came out of an unusual season will mean good things to come. “We do not know what 2021 will bring, but we look forward to many returning customers and to providing another year of great memories and experiences.”
