Covid-19 and Golf in Canada

[bradroche18]

Any Canadians here have any information on whether golf is allowed or not? Is there a difference between public or private courses? Its soon time for my club to open but we haven't heard anything.

[mikedit]

Here in Ontario golf is considered non-essential but maintenance of courses is permitted so at least they will be ready when we get to play again.

[Edward_Majorwin]

Here in British Columbia we have a few privately-owned public courses open for play still. From what I've heard all the private courses are closed up.

[tr881430]

Alberta is non-essential as well. Damn

[MtlJeff]

In Quebec i assume they are considered "non-essential" but it's a moot point right now as no reputable courses would be open anyway given the time of year it is

Private clubs tend to open the first week of May most years, which happens to be when our shutdown tentatively ends.

We will see what happens as we get closer to that date. This past week our premier was optimistic that businesses could start re-opening in May, so i'm hopeful

 

[Socrates]

Manitoba.

Given current weather, golf would still be a couple of weeks away, under normal circumstances. Golf has not been specifically mentioned, but all non-essential businesses are closed. I would have to think that given our Premier's disposition, they will not open until they start letting other businesses open. I'm mentally preparing to not hit a ball until June.

[jvincent]

Same here in Ontario.

Based on the recent weather I expect some of the traditional "early openers" might have opened this weekend, but next weekend for sure. Our club would likely have opened the last weekend of April just because of the way the calendar is this year but we usually open the first weekend in May as well.

On a positive note the ON gov't only extended the state of emergency until the 23rd. It was going to expire on the 13th but the fact that they didn't extend it right to the end of the month is a good sign that we might be rounding the corner. Fingers crossed.

[lhahn]

Fraser Health has said (late last week I think) that it is OK for golf courses to remain open as long as staff and golfers follow physical distancing rules. Finally a health authority with some sense.

[kwcsports]

Nova Scotia everything is closed. Looking like June 1st at the earliest according to our Premier.

[MtlJeff]

Oh really they are saying June 1st? That sucks. I really only get the Ontario and Quebec news from CTV (they seem to be the best at just giving summaries without any narrative, at least here)

Our premier here has been dancing a bit more around optimism we can open things. He even said he didn't rule out opening schools again (though this will not happen)

Right now we are at 22% of our ICU capacity. That hasn't changed in the last 5 days or so

Im hopeful i'll get to play in May

[mikedit]

Looks like state of emergency in Ontario will be extended until 12 May.

[bb123]

I saw on Instagram that Richmond (BC) Country Club will be opening up for it's members, and just allowing 2 somes out with staggered tee times

[jvincent]

Yeah, bummer. Hopefully things flatten out and they relax restrictions before the end.

[Socrates]

Problem with decisions like these being made, they take a shotgun approach to them. There are many activities that are very safe to do when done by rational people. Unfortunately, give people an inch and they go overboard and it quickly devolves. We will see what kind of decisions are being made at the end of April and whether there are some changes for the better in the lockdowns.

[kwcsports]

Yeah it sucks, hopefully earlier but even June 1 would be good. It might be longer. They are being really conservative here, don't blame them. Crazy days we are living through.

[Socrates]

Manitoba Gov't just gave the go ahead for Monday May 4th as opening. About a week earlier that initially talked about. Kinda caught a few people with their pants down as far as being ready to go. Most were expecting Mid May or later. Not as restrictive as Saskatchewan. Going to be a gong show as every nut job will want to get out.

[MtlJeff]

There was a call tonight from golf Quebec, hoping to get some feedback on that soon from my club

Retail stores and daycare, primary schools are opening between May 11th and May 18th

[MtlJeff]

Beaconsfield Golf Course (one of the top 100 courses in Canada) recently told their members that they would be closed ALL season. Crazy.....Was shocked to hear that so early in the year. I came this close to joining there this past season. Glad i didn't

Still waiting to find out when my course will open, from what i hear we plan to.

[jvincent]

Wow, that's is crazy. Any chance they were in financial trouble and closing for the season somehow helps?

I'm assuming they will keep maintaining the course.

[MtlJeff]

They definitely aren't in financial trouble, one of the more successful clubs around here i believe. I wondered if it had something to do with costs of preparing a course with uncertain timelines but I don't know

Members are still paying a good portion of their dues to keep the course maintained but won't be allowed to play.

I'd be fuming if I had joined. I get taking it slow to a degree given the times, but closing for the year in May?

[mikedit]

Looks like Quebec opens for golf on 20 May according to what I have read in the press. Here in Ontario we are supposed to receive the announcement tomorrow, hoping for this Saturday.

[MtlJeff]

Golf and tennis may 20th yes announced today

Oddly enough the club I mentioned above (Beaconsfield) seems to have reversed course and is now saying they are opening

[jvincent]

I came back to this thread to see if Beaconsfield had changed their mind.

We're supposed to get the official go ahead for golf in Ontario starting on Saturday today. Fingers crossed.

[mikedit]

Looks like Saturday it is for Ontario

[MtlJeff]

I have 20+ vacation days, im gonna play like 7 days in a row starting next Wednesday lol

[jvincent]

Flexible schedule here. I already have 5 tee times booked starting on Saturday!