Golf!!!2!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

looks like the Alberta Govt. went against common sense and courses wont open. what a joke

I suspect she's waiting for a peak in the virus before she eases up on certain things. With the peak supposedly coming in mid May I think the earliest opening would be June 1st.

[bob-loblaw]

On the positive side, AHS just knocked about 90 strokes off my game.

[Dion]

Got an email from my golf course...

Golf Course COVID 19 Update

Dear NGC Membership,

I hope this message finds everyone well, and managing well through the pandemic. Judging by indications reported by the provincial officials, it seems as though everyone is doing their part and slowing the spread of the virus. This is hopefully a good sign that restrictions within our society will slowly start to be eased.

I wanted to provide an update with regards to the status of the course in respect to the provincial mandate that golf courses are considered non-essential businesses, and at this point, will not be permitted to operate. The good news is, the weather hadn’t really cooperated to this point, so as much as we would have liked to be open in April, I don’t think it would have been in the cards for this year.

Work around the course has been progressing. The course owes a debt of gratitude to all of the volunteers that have been spending time out on the grounds doing odds and ends to clean up the course. This has allowed us to delay hiring any amount of staff to complete the work that usually goes along with normal course preparations. There is still a lot of things to be done on the course and if you are able, have time that you can spare, and are willing to help with cleaning things up around the course it is much appreciated, and a great way to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air! There is a job board posted up at the clubhouse which has a few items that the course would be looking to accomplish on any given day, and every bit that folks do to help out now, will aid in us being prepared to open when the government gives us the green light.

With respect to a potential opening date, we are hopeful that there will be some news in the coming weeks. We have been getting regular communication from the Alberta Golf Association highlighting the collective efforts to prove to the government, that Golf Courses have the ability to restrict operations, such that we are able to provide a safe, and enjoyable environment while maintaining social distancing priorities. The AGA has indicated the government has stated golf courses will be among the first outdoor activities allowed to resume once the restrictions start to be lifted. Unfortunately at this point there is no clear indication as to when that will be.

The board and the department heads are continuing to diligently work through this situation to manage our funds effectively, as well as trying to ensure that we will be ready to open. We are also working to secure some of the funding that is available to the course through government programs aimed at keeping businesses and non-profits afloat during these difficult times. To date, we have received an interest free loan through one of the programs and are waiting for the wage subsidy program application link to be provided so we are able to access that.

Many of you are likely wondering why we will be continuing to spend money while the course is closed. We do need to continue to maintain the golf course in order to prevent permanent damage to the playing surfaces. This time of the season is crucial for ensuring that the turf is treated and cared for to ensure that disease and seasonal turf problems do not progress into damaging playing surfaces and eroding the quality of the course. The club is also obviously obligated to pay for machinery, and employ a minimal amount of staff to operate and maintain the machinery as well as maintaining the facilities. The Board of Directors and the management team have taken action by not hiring the normal amount of staff, deferring leases, and minimizing expenses that we can.

With that in mind, we need the golf course to open to start creating revenue. The programs the government are providing, and our limited operating capital are not enough to keep us going for anything long term. The revenue created through annual membership dues is not enough to keep the golf course afloat without our tournament and green fee revenue. This is by design as the Nanton Golf Club is a "non-profit" organization and this is the biggest reason why our dues are among the lowest in the province. We expect that we will see a major decline in our accompanying revenue streams as we will not likely be able to host tournaments well into the summer and will also likely face decreased green fee revenue due to restrictions on the amount of players we can have on the course when we are able to resume operations. As such we have stripped out much of the revenue associated with tournaments and green fees from the budget to provide some forecasting into our expected shortfall for the year. It is clear from the numbers that if we are unable to find some alternate sources of revenue or fundraising for the course we will find ourselves eliminating the gains we have made over the past two years and likely in a worse financial position then we were two seasons ago.

As such, I am reaching out to the membership for help that we could use to create revenue in the short term, and to head off some major financial headwinds. We have been looking at doing different things to create revenue but we have been unable to come up with anything that we feel would make a big impact to help the course. I think once we open, it allows us to be a lot more creative in trying to find ways of additional revenue but more than ever, we need the help, and collective effort of the club to help us succeed through these tremendously challenging times.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Dion

Got an email from my golf course...

Thanks Dion. Looks like June 1 or later to be realistic. Losing a month isn't the only blow but losing all of the tournaments and most of the clubhouse F&B revenues will be hard for most clubs to overcome. Private clubs will likely need to cash call members to cover the short fall of this year. With the big unemployment that is bond to hit Calgary, how many private clubs can survive this?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Thanks Dion. Looks like June 1 or later to be realistic. Losing a month isn't the only blow but losing all of the tournaments and most of the clubhouse F&B revenues will be hard for most clubs to overcome. Private clubs will likely need to cash call members to cover the short fall of this year. With the big unemployment that is bond to hit Calgary, how many private clubs can survive this?

I'm thinking June 1st at the earlies also. Tournament's and the number of them can be the difference between the club making a profit as opposed to a loss. They sell a ton of booze on the course and do good sales in the pro shop as many don't have balls or tees. Every course, private or semi will suffer this year loses this year.

The annual dues members pay is what's keeping courses open right now. It's been used to pay the salaries of workers and equipment upkeep until revenue from green fees come in.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Dion

Got an email from my golf course...

Golf Course COVID 19 Update

this kind of sucks.

wonder if golf courses will get any financial relief?

[dirk diggler]

Canadian Tire is open but not golf courses??

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

Canadian Tire is open but not golf courses??

I don't see a correlation between these two types of business but for the record both should be allowed to be open.

[Geraldsh]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

Canadian Tire is open but not golf courses??

You can go there and swing some their clubs around. Let us know how long it takes to get kicked out.

[darklord700]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/golfcanada/...020-Final1.pdf

Better familiarize yourself with all these new rules if you want to golf this year.

[Weitz]

Saskatchewan is planning to open golf courses on May 15th.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Saskatchewan is planning to open golf courses on May 15th.

I'll rather go to SK than BC. SK seems to like Albertans better.

This golf course is on the SK side of Lloydminster. Many AB golfers may go there.

https://www.harvesttohome.ca/cafe/

[Dion]

My golf course is doing a 2020 Opening Day Pool

Nanton Golf Club

Opening Day Pool

Lets have some Fun
While we are Self Isolating

Rules:
1. Pick the day the Golf Opens in Alberta
This will be based on the Government of Alberta's Announcment
2. $20 per pick paid by Cash, Cheque, Etransfer (ngcadmin@telus.net)
3. Winner(s) gets 50% of Pot in a Proshop Gift Certificate
4. If more than 1 person(s) pick a certain day the pot will be split
5. We will send spreadsheet May 1 with everybodys picks

By April 30, 2020 at 4:00pm

[darklord700]

https://www.facebook.com/kenneyjason...5184794955330/

Around 48'15", Kenney talks about golf courses opening. Looks like June 1 is a distinct possibility and maybe even May Long Weekend is possible now.

[btimbit]

Makes sense that they should be allowed to open, that's a really easy activity to maintain social distancing

[Geraldsh]

Originally Posted by darklord700

I'll rather go to SK than BC. SK seems to like Albertans better.

This golf course is on the SK side of Lloydminster. Many AB golfers may go there.

https://www.harvesttohome.ca/cafe/

Sask is not lifting the interprovincial travel ban though so you may have to live there to golf there?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Geraldsh

Sask is not lifting the interprovincial travel ban though so you may have to live there to golf there?

What travel ban?

[Roughneck]

Saskatchewan's guidelines for when golf re-opens.



https://www.saskatchewan.ca/governme...rse-guidelines

• Expand cleaning and disinfection of common/high-touch surfaces in accordance with the public health order.
• Physical distancing must be observed at all times, with a minimum of two metres between individuals.
• Employees must have access to gloves and sanitizing wipes, and are required to stay home if they are unwell or symptomatic.
• Signage must be posted to caution players about the risks of COVID-19.
• Players exhibiting signs of illness will not be permitted to play.
• All players must have a tee time, no walk-on players will be permitted.
• Payment must be made in advance by telephone or online – cash cannot be accepted.
• Tee times must be a minimum of 20 minutes apart to avoid congestion on the course.
• Flags must remain in place and cups elevated so the ball does not drop into the hole. Play is concluded when the ball makes contact with the cup.
• All rakes and ball washers must be removed from the course.
• Washroom facilities on the course must remain closed to players and the public.
• Driving range and practice putting/chipping greens must remain closed at all times.
• Walking is encouraged.
• Limit of one person per golf cart, unless the occupants reside in the same household.
• If rental golf carts are used, they must be fully sanitized between uses.
• Golf club and pull-cart rentals are prohibited.
• Remove bulk scorecard, pencil and tee holders from starter areas.
• Retail sales must be restricted to curbside pick-up or delivery.
• All food and beverage service is suspended, except curbside pick-up or delivery. Call-ahead for pick up.
• Washrooms at the clubhouse will be sanitized regularly, with only one individual allowed at a time.
• Drink/snack carts may not operate.
• Locker rooms must be closed. Players can change footwear in the parking lot.
• The clubhouse (with exception of the washrooms) and common spaces (decks, gazebos, and picnic areas) must remain closed.
• Private/group lessons, league play and tournaments are prohibited.

Nothing surprising and pretty consistent with other jurisdictions.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Saskatchewan's guidelines for when golf re-opens.
Nothing surprising and pretty consistent with other jurisdictions.

The 20 minutes tee time seem extreme. You can only sell 3 tee times in a hour to collect 12 green fees. Let's say you open 12 hours a day, that's only 144 green fees for the entire day. With practically no F&B sale, clubs must jack up the green fees to make up the difference.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Saskatchewan's guidelines for when golf re-opens.

Nothing surprising and pretty consistent with other jurisdictions.

nothing about sharing weed and Whiskey bottles