The TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course is looking forward to the start of its season next month.
The provincial government’s Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan released Thursday allows golf courses to reopen May 15, although there will be restrictions.
Amanda Minchin, the head pro and general manager at Woodlawn, said the course was inundated with phone calls in the hours after Premier Scott Moe released the plan. Woodlawn will spend the next few weeks getting ready and ensuring the course is ready to play.
There will be 20-minute intervals between tee-off times, and walk-on players won’t be allowed. Also, there will be just one golfer allowed in a power cart, unless both occupants are from the same household.
The golf course’s driving range will be closed.
Golfers will be able to order a meal from the clubhouse that they can have delivered on the course, or pickup through curbside service. And the changes will have an impact on the golf course’s pro shop.
Flags will remain in place and cups will be elevated so balls do not drop in the hole. Play is concluded when the ball makes contact with the cup.
The restrictions weren’t a surprise for Minchin, as she has been communicating with people elsewhere in the province and the country.
“I’ve been following different types of restrictions for golf courses and different types of restrictions for all sorts of businesses. Listing them off, I wasn’t surprised. They were pretty much what I’ve been reading about for the past four weeks.”
It will be a learning curve for Woodlawn and for the golfers.
But people are excited to get out and play.
“We’re going to be busy. It’s going to look different but people will be happy to be here.”
This week's edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
