Changes Come Into Effect On Alberta Courses May 9

By GORD MONTGOMERY, Inside Golf

CALGARY, Alberta — While the change in safety regulations in Alberta governing golf courses and play wasn’t quite the sledgehammer blow suffered by Ontario layouts where everything was taken off the table, there will be some short-term effects felt in Wild Rose Country.

Following a two-day delay of the more stringent COVID-19 regulations put in place by the UCP government, golfers across the province awoke to find out that playing with friends, and new acquaintances, was to be put on hold for at least three weeks starting Sunday, May 9, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.

Speaking to the abrupt change, Kevin Smith, the spokesman for NAGA (National Allied Golf Association) Alberta, said the change in direction for this sport, which had been deemed as a safe recreational activity on May 4, 2020, by the same government, didn’t come as a total surprise.

“I think we were prepared for all scenarios, to be honest,” he began. “I mean, Ontario’s closed. But, we’ve been running golf for a year now with really thoughtful protocols and it’s gone very well. There haven’t been any outbreaks at golf courses. So, I think in our heads we thought it’d be status quo and that made sense. If we were not allowed to golf, we’d be surprised by that.”

Noting the new regulations were more or less a middle ground between what was and what could have been, Smith continued by saying, “We’re thankful that golf courses are open because most everything else is not and let’s cope with this for three weeks. NAGA was working with government on this for a while and what it would look like. The best answer is we were open for all scenarios and we feel fortunate to be open.”

To that end, in an official release from the president of NAGA Alberta, Erica Beck stated, “With the recent announcements based on surging case numbers, we are fortunate to have been  provided  with  an opportunity  to  remain  open  for  the  enjoyment  by  Albertans however this needs to be done responsibly. Today, we were informed that golf was on the list of industries to be closed, however, the industry's commitment to being responsible and ensuring protocols were put into place to maintain the safety and well-being of golfers were the key deciding factors in the industry being permitted to remain open.”

When released, there was a fair amount of confusion as to what was, and what wasn’t, allowed in the golf industry going forward. Those guidelines are, according to an official release: “As of Sunday, May 9th at 11:59 pm, outdoor sports and recreation, including golf, is limited to members of your household; or if living alone, to two close contacts.”

“It’s going to be one hundred per cent on the honour system,” Smith said of golfers adhering to these new regulations. “We’re asking Albertans to be thankful and please, follow the AHS guidelines. Golf with your household; golf with your cohorts if you live alone, the same two cohorts you’ve been doing things with; or golf by yourself.”

While not confirmed by any true data, it’s thought much of the problems in Alberta likely stemmed from a lack of enforcement of those not following protocols, thus having Alberta’s numbers spike to become the population with the highest COVID-19 rate per capita in North America. So how are these new guidelines to be enforced.? Well, that’s up to golfers.

“There won’t be enforcement. The golf courses won’t be able to pull ID’s or be detectives …. it’s like restaurants, right? It goes on the honour system so we’re asking Albertans, if you want to keep golf as an option, a solution, be honest. That’s what we’re asking.”

The reasoning for these regulation changes is due to the fact golf courses have now been lumped in with other outdoor activities whereas in the past year it had been a group unto itself.

“Golf is now grouped with recreation,” said Smith. “Last year it was a standalone. I think at some point there was talk that maybe golf, like all other outdoor sports, it may not be able to happen. But, I think, when talks got a little more in depth,” between NAGA and the government, it was determined golf was deemed safe and a compromise of sorts was settled upon.

While the number of players teeing off at once is expected to be two at a maximum, with shortened intervals between times, the other part of the industry — the pro shop — remains open. Most courses will likely move to online bookings and payments, but if you need a sleeve of balls or a new putter because the one you have now refuses to do what you want it to, slip on a mask and head indoors because pro shops will remain open for business.

These new protocols are expected to last for three weeks, hopefully at the most.