The Hidden Valley Golf and RV Resort is getting ready for the start of golf season.
The provincial government released its Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan on April 23. As part of it, golf courses are scheduled to be able to open on May 15, in time for the Victoria Day long weekend.
Brad Dutton with Hidden Valley said the provincial government’s announcement was a healthy decision to get people out and enjoying nature, and golf is a perfect part of that.
But they will have to deal with several restrictions. It will be tough to see their driving range remain closed, and there will be some logistical challenges. Tee times will have to be 20 minutes apart, walk-ons won't be allowed and there will be just one golfer per cart, unless the two people in the cart are from the same household. They will also have to adjust their parking lot and pro shop.
But he’s looking forward to opening.
“It’s going to be a bit of a chore to keep everyone safe and distanced,” said Dutton.
Traffic will be a little bit slower than a normal year because of the tee time issue, but it’s something they can manage.
“The course looks wonderful. It looks very inviting right now. I wish I could have people golfing on it right now. It came out of the winter in fine shape. It might look a little goofy with the cups sticking out of the hole, but we will manage quite well.”
This is typically the time of the year when the course would open.
“It’s going to do nothing but get better with no traffic on it for another two or three weeks.”
It might also mean a few more golfers claiming a hole-in-one, due to the new rules regarding golf holes. Instead of having a golf hole cut into the ground, the pin will be at ground level, and once a ball hits the pin, that golfer's play for that hole is finished. Hidden Valley also has seven par-threes.
Dutton also hopes that the restrictions on power carts mean that more people will choose to walk while golfing as opposed to using a cart, because Hidden Valley lends itself to walking with a total distance of about 2,000 yards for its nine holes.
But he’s looking forward to when the course can open on May 15, and people can get out and enjoy a game in an outdoor setting.
