The season is nearing for local golfers who’ve been stuck inside watching television rewinds of major tournaments.
As the snow continues to melt and conditions improve, Aberdeen Glen says it's still on par with its May 8 opening date for the 2020 season.
In a statement, however, Director of Golf Operations Ian Wrynn says the Prince George facility is monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic as the number of test-positive cases in northern B.C. stands at 28 with two new ones confirmed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry today (April 14).
“We have implemented numerous changes to the ways that we operate in order to be fully compliant with the Provincial Health Officer's Orders,” said Wrynn, adding Aberdeen Glen is ‘prepared to navigate the challenging circumstances’ and will adjust the new procedures when needed.
“However, we cannot do this alone. Together, we are responsible for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and helping to flatten the curve.”
Among the new measures the golf course is implementing is more sanitization of its public spaces, only one person per power cart, increasing tee-time gaps to create more physical distancing and leaving the flagstick in the cup.
Wrynn says anyone who fails to meet the new rules and expectations will be asked to leave.
He encourages everyone to follow the guidelines in preventing the spread of COVID-19, such as staying home if you’re sick, isolate yourself for 14 days if you’ve returned from abroad, washing your hands frequently and stay at least six feet away from others.
Unfortunately, this also means if you sink a hole-in-one at Aberdeen Glen, you’re also encouraged to not high-five, shake hands or chest-bump your buddies to celebrate.
The following is the course’s full list of new measures to prevent COVID-19:
- No push cart rentals or rental clubs
- Only one person per power cart
- Increase the gap between tee times to allow more space between groups
- Allowing a maximum of three people in the Pro-shop at any given time
- Enable social distancing by marking the Pro-shop floor to indicate where it is safe to stand
- Flip cups upside down so that golfers do not reach into the cup to retrieve their ball
- Remove bunker rakes and ball washing stations around the course
- Add a handwashing station near the first and 10th tees
- Close the putting green and chipping area
- Close every other driving range stall to ensure at least six feet of separation between golfers
- No food and beverage services from our two concessions
- The restaurant will be open only for take-away service
- Increase sanitation in public spaces and commonly touched areas
- Limit the number of staff working on site
- Screen all staff upon arrival each day to monitor their health
- Educate staff on effective hand washing techniques
