INNISFAIL - Jim Boomer, head professional at the Innisfail Golf Club, said the news that golf courses could begin opening on May 4 was “unbelievable” for anyone who loves the game of golf as it heralds in the “promise of spring.
“We can just feel the enthusiasm. The phones are just ringing off the hooks,” he said. “We are anxious to present the product as quick as we can.”
Boomer noted the club’s turf care crew said the courses are in very good shape. He said the club started taking tee times on May 4 with 18 out of the 27 holes opening on May 8.
“It will meet expectations when people get out here,” he said, adding the club will still implement a full array of social distancing guidelines to ensure guest safety from COVID-19.
“We have to have proper spacing of the groups,” he said. “During normal times we would probably tee off a group every eight minutes. We will probably be going to more like 12 to 15 minutes during this time.”
Guests must not come to the club’s parking lot sooner than 15 minutes ahead of their tee time, and can’t come to play unless they have booked a tee time.
Although all other club facilities will remain closed, everyone signs in at the pro shop, two players at a time. Each player receives his or her own power cart. If they travelled together to the club or from the same household they can cart together.
“Ballpark-wise these are the restrictions just so we can keep everybody from grouping up,” said Boomer. “We have to eliminate the locker room, driving range, the clubhouse and pro shop, except for a few people at a time.”
For more information, especially updates on course guidelines as the Innisfail Golf Club moves forward, visit the website at www.innisfailgolf.ca
• COVID-19 UPDATE: Follow our COVID-19 special section and interactive map for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.
