Golf Canada has made the decision to cancel the 2020 NextGen Prairie Championship scheduled to be held June 12-14 at Quarry Oaks Golf Club.

With ongoing uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, Golf Canada continues to evaluate all aspects of our business to make informed and responsible decisions within the best interests of athletes, staff, volunteers, host clubs, partners, and other stakeholders health and well-being.

The decision to cancel this competition was not taken lightly, but Golf Canada believes it is the best course of action. The safety and well-being of competitors, tournament staff and volunteers along with our host site members and staff are paramount to the national amateur golf association.

Golf Canada has also made the decision to cancel all 2020 Future Links Junior Skills Challenge Provincial Qualifier events and this includes the Saskatchewan event that was scheduled in July at the Elmwood Golf & Country Club. Golf is only beginning to get underway in most regions of the country and it was the lack of time for facilities to run local qualifying events, combined with the current provincial restrictions on group gatherings that led to this decision.

At this time, the Future Links Junior Skills Challenge National Event remains on the event schedule, set for Aug. 30 at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C. Golf Canada will continue to monitor the guidelines of government and health experts to assess any impact to the event. Should the national event be hosted as scheduled, Golf Canada will operate under the previous qualifying structure whereby the top-ranked players from across the country on the online national leaderboard, in each of the four age categories, will be invited to compete at the event.

The lead-up to this year’s golf season has been full of questions for anyone within the industry, no more than the operators of courses across the globe.

Here in Saskatchewan the weather didn’t cooperate in most areas to allow courses to even open ahead of May long weekend even if the globe wasn’t navigating through a pandemic. However Mother Nature has settled in to her spring routine and the Government of Saskatchewan is allowing the province to golf. TS&M Woodlawn is usually one of the first clubs to open. General Manger Amanda Minchin said their club was preparing as normal not knowing what the standard would be.

“From being a high-energy early start to a sit-and-wait approach waiting for the next step,” she said. “We were planning for each scenario and then we get told we could open on the 15^th and now we have a whole other set of scenarios to work through. It’s been unique and a learning curve so far and it will continue to be for the rest of the season.”

This season is a monumental one for the Estevan course. This is their 75^th anniversary year. The club was also revamping an already successful junior program and restructuring their league play. The anniversary won’t be celebrated with the customary banquet, leagues need to follow the new guidelines and lessons are trimmed to one-on-one with social distancing. Despite the rule modifications and government mandated safety practices Minchin said there is still positives to be taken from the situation.

“Anytime you are forced to change your business and the way you do this and that we will have learned so much. We will have probably figured out more efficient ways to do things. We pride ourselves in creating a top product while being affordable. Let’s be responsible and be the best we can be,” she said.

Golf courses across Saskatchewan have the onus on them to allow play while being safe during COVID-19. Responsibility falls upon golfers as well. Players must adhere to the following conditions.

• If you don’t feel well, stay home.
• Book a tee time as no walk-on players will be permitted.
• If you have questions before or after you arrive at the course, please ask, for your safety and everyone else.
• Please read and follow the signs posted at the golf facility.
• While on the golf course grounds, remember to practice social distancing (Two metres between people).
• Driving ranges and practice greens can be open provided physical distancing is maintained.
• Do not touch the flag/flagstick.
• Washrooms are available at the clubhouse.
• Limit of one person per power cart unless the occupants reside in the same household.
• Player may change footwear in the parking lots.
• Please read the linked document above for the other golf course guidelines.

Minchin said everyone needs to work together and her staff will do what they can to allow golf to be played in a safe manner.

“We’re human so we’re very adapt to habit, but people are being positive,” she explained. “People are just wondering what to do now, what do they do when they come down to the golf course? That’s what we are going to have to do a great job of, helping them through the process.”

Northern Meadows Golf Club Owner Ken Olan always plans to be open for play on Victoria Day weekend. Located near Goodsoil the club was still blowing snow when Premier Scott Moe made the announcement courses could open. Olan also owns a resort with cabins on the course and has the lone restaurant in the community. Mother’s Day is a huge day for the Olan family business, they weren’t able to be open for the event this year. The course also hosts several large tournaments each season. Olan said putting on mass gatherings is lots of work and the pandemic will allow them to look at the numbers of running events.

“Having this and some of the new rules maybe we’re going to come out of this with ideas on how to change things in the golf industry,” Olan said to Golf Saskatchewan the day of the opening news. “Everybody always wants to book a tournament or get a deal; golf tournaments take a lot of extra people to put those 100 through. It’s a lot different than 100 people off the street.”

Restaurants will be able to open with restrictions in Phase 3 of the “Re-Open Saskatchewan” plan. For now, Olan will offer curbside pickup of some food and alcohol. Proshops will be open for retail sales on May 19. Camping is allowed this weekend as part of Phase 1.

Olan echoed the words of Minchin in the responsibility with everyone involved.

“There is only one thing we can do, when we put out there that we’re open it will be for respectful golfers only,” he said. “They are going to have to be respectful not only for our rules but for the rules the government puts out there. No one wants to put anyone in danger, from our side to our visitors. No one wants to talk about any cases in Goodsoil or where they came from.”

“Let’s be cautious on how we proceed ahead with this. Getting it open and getting people out is important,” Olan added.

The golf season in Saskatchewan officially opens for business on May 15 as part of phase 1 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan action plan.  Under the plan, golf courses and facilities may open under special operating guidelines such as requiring all golfers and staff to maintain physical distancing and by restricting food and beverage operations to delivery, take-out and curbside pick-up.

As the season slowly starts to open, there are several ways golfers can support their favorite golf course while still adhering to the province’s social distancing rules and health regulations.

1. Go out and play:
   This goes without saying!  In addition to the Rules and Guidelines mandated by the government for safe golf operations, many golf course operators and facilities have adopted additional Safety Best Practices to make golf safe for staff and the golfing public. So please book a tee-time or sign up for a membership and enjoy all the physical and mental benefits, golf has to offer.
2. Buy a gift card:
   Consider purchasing a gift card for a family member, friend or even for yourself. Most public golf courses offer gift cards or pre-paid multi-game packs available by calling or emailing the pro shop. This may make a great gift for a special someone in your life or to just say thank you to someone.
3. Order take out:
   Under current operating restrictions, golf course restaurants may offer service so long as the food and beverages sold are provided via take-out, delivery services or curb side pick-up.
   Facilities have had to closed their clubhouse dining and patio services, some are or will try to get creative. If you are tired of cooking at home or ordering food from a restaurant food chain, please call your favourite course or supporting your home club and place an order today!
4. Support your golf professional(s):
   The golf courses themselves aren’t the only ones suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many golf professionals make a significant portion of their living off equipment and merchandise sales or lessons. Please consider contacting your local PGA of Saskatchewan professional and buy a lesson or two for now or a later date. But paying for it now will give you something to look forward to and put some much-needed revenue into the pockets of those who earn a living during the already short Saskatchewan golf season.
   Do you have your eyes set on some new golf gear or new clubs? Again, contact your local pro or favourite club and find out what services they are providing. Some pro-shops may offer curbside pick-up or deliver to a destination of your choice.
5. Be a responsible golfer:
   The industry has implemented several safety best practices to ensure golfers can safely enjoy a round during the current state of public health. With the industry doing its part, the golfer also has a responsibility to observe and strictly follow the rules that have been mandated for safe golf operations. Failure to do so not only jeopardizes the health and safety of golf course staff and fellow golfers but may also result in fines, penalties and the chance your favourite course or home club could be shut down! Please do the right thing.

When you do play, please do your part to keep golf safe buy adopting the following the illustrated best practices.

CLICK HERE FOR COVID-19 RULES OF GOLF AND RULES OF HANDICAPPING GUIDANCE

The COVID-19 global pandemic is an unprecedented and difficult time for Canadians and Golf Canada stands with our entire golf community during this unprecedented time.

We all love the game for the escape it provides and its positive impact on our physical, social and mental well-being. We look forward to better and healthier days and when the time is right for Canadians to return to recreational normalcy, clubs and courses will be ready to welcome golfers back to the tee.

We continue to urge golfers to follow the guidelines from health and governmental officials to keep you and those around you safe, and to minimize any possible exposure to coronavirus. This is especially true on a golf course, where golfers, workers and operators should heighten their level of awareness on exposure to surfaces like flagsticks, golf balls, bunker rakes, tees, carts and scorecards. We all need to do our part to respect expert advice and make the right decisions to protect each other.

It is not the intended purpose of the below guidance to either encourage or discourage anyone from playing the game, but rather, in our governance role, to help golf course operators, committees and golfers better understand how the Rules of Golf and Rules of Handicapping apply to the various questions received by the governing bodies.

The Modernized Rules of Golf were drafted to offer each Committee the flexibility to make decisions as to how golf is played at their course or in competition and the Committee Procedures section of the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf (available online here) offers a significant amount of guidance and recommendations on how to address circumstances unique to each course or competition.

This flexibility will prove to be very helpful as Committees look to address many of the challenges they are facing within the current environment. While the Committee Procedures section is a tremendous resource and has much to offer, many of the current questions were not originally contemplated under the Rules of Golf and therefore there is no history or guidance provided. To better address the questions that have come about because of these unique circumstances and the related challenges, additional guidance can be accessed by clicking here. This will continue to be updated as additional questions are received.

As active seasons start to open across the country, we would like to discuss impacts on Handicapping.  From the perspective of the Rules of Handicapping, the most frequent questions received are primarily related to the acceptability of scores for posting to a player’s scoring record. In particular, to modifying the hole and not requiring the player to “hole out” as required under the Rules of Golf. These are founded in a desire to minimize the possibility of exposing golfers to coronavirus and have included leaving the hole liner raised above the putting surface or placing various objects into the hole so the ball can be more easily removed. In these specific cases, ensuring guidance from health and governmental officials is being followed, a temporary measure is in place in Canada to accept scores played under these conditions for handicap purposes using the most likely score guidelines (Rule 3.3, Rules of Handicapping), even though the player has not holed out.

Please remember that this temporary measure is now in effect within Canada until advised otherwise by Golf Canada.

For more information and detailed guidance, please contact your Provincial Golf Association or Golf Canada.

Residence
Saskatoon, originally from Speers, Sask.

Home club:
Non-member but play Purdue Oasis Golf Course

Handicap factor:
N/A

Rounds per year:
About 20

Left/Right:
“Grossly right-handed.”

Years with Golf Saskatchewan:
Six

Area of service:
Course rating

How did you get involved with Golf Saskatchewan?
Perdue wasn’t with the Golf Association so to apply handicaps was a lot of work to apply handicaps and utilize them. The leader of our group, Bob Naconechny was also a course rater and he got me into it. I did it more to understand how the Handicap Factor works and how you apply your handicap when you play a round and understand you are a bogey golfer.”

What do you like about volunteering?
I enjoy the camaraderie and I get to do a little travelling around and the seeing of the various courses. Last year we did Loon Lake and Lashburn. It was an enjoyable trip. We got to see some new courses and new areas. I’ve got to see and play what I think is one of the gems in Saskatchewan being Northern Meadows.”

What would you say about volunteering, not only for Golf Saskatchewan but any organization?
Let’s face it, regardless of the sports, yes you need fans but you also need volunteers for any sport to run. Even semi-pro teams need volunteers. With times the way they are it’s tough to make it economically if you don’t have a lot of volunteers. It makes the sports grow and succeed. You get the mingling, the odd pint or whatever, the lies and stories you get to tell. Some of the stories I could tell from my career in fastball umpiring would either make you laugh or cry.”

*Dave has volunteered in curling and fastball for decades and traveled the world helping grow those sports as well as his time with Golf Saskatchewan. He grew up curling with two-time Brier champion and World Curling Champion Ed “Cool Hand Luke” Lukowich.

The 2020 Saskatchewan Summer Games slated for Lloydminster in late July are postponed due to COVID-19.

The organizing committee made the announcement on their social media channels on Tuesday. The games have been moved to July 18 – 24, 2021. Games Council Executive Director Mark Bracken said the work that has went into planning the event hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“The Saskatchewan Games Council wishes to recognize the ongoing hard work and passion invested by the City of Lloydminster and Lloydminster 2020 Host Society in planning these games, including the leadership from Games Manager Nicole Clow and Chairperson Kevin Kusch. We also want to recognize the Sport, Culture and Recreation Districts and Provincial Sport Organizations for all their efforts in preparing for the games. Though this is an unfortunate situation, it was the right decision to ensure the health and safety of all involved, and we look forward to working with all partners to deliver an exceptional experience for our province’s athletes in the summer 2021,” Bracken said in a news release.

Over 2,000 athletes will compete in the biennial games with many having a chance to move onto higher levels of competition such as the Canada Games or the Olympics. 

Up to 54 golfers were to compete at the the games plus coaches from each of the nine districts across the province.

Prior to Premier Scott Moe’s announcement that golf courses would open in Saskatchewan May 15, the golf community was on pins and needles regarding the 2020 season. During the downtime of March and April, the three people behind the Drive the Green podcast got the golf masses talking, and voting.

Through Twitter and Instagram, the trio created a 32-course bracket based on north and south courses and pitted them up against each other for 24 hours with the public voting the winners through. Thousands of votes and hundreds of comments and barbs later, Waskesiu Golf Course in Prince Albert National Park came out on top outlasting Golf Kenosee after nearly 1,500 votes on the two social media platforms. Waskesiu General Manager Tyler Baker admitted he was following along and thanked the membership for the participation.

“We had a lot staff and members following, it was good,” Baker said. “We were getting a lot of updates, a lot of retweets, a lot phone calls actually to remind people to vote. It was really good to see our membership and clientele to get close knit and move us through the bracket. It was a fun event.”

Waskesiu was the second seeded course in the north bracket behind Saskatoon’s Riverside Country Club. Waskesiu defeated Deer Park Municipal Golf Course, Holiday Park, Cooke Municipal Golf Course, and the Evergreen Golf Course to reach the final against the south champion. Baker said Waskesiu has the natural landscape and a legendary design to make the course stand out.

“Being a Stanley Thompson design, carved through the trees, such a different setting than the rest in the province. Every hole is different. Thompson didn’t move any dirt, he just cut trees and go play the way you are meant to,” he said.

Waskesiu, along with its neighbour, Elk Ridge Golf and Resort are popular across the country and see visitors from coast to coast. Getting their names on lists of marquee tracks isn’t new, but Baker still appreciates the time the Drive the Green managers and voters took to provide some positive publicity.

“Everybody is pretty happy to see Waskesiu come through in the bracket,” Baker added. “It was a fun month to follow along and I look forward to maybe doing something with them next year. It was definitely some good promotion material.”

For Golf Kenosee in the south, you could call the Moose Mountain Provincial Park course a Cinderella story. The course was the 13^th seeded club of 16. The 2018 Saskatchewan Senior Men’s Championship host site rolled through Katepwa Beach Golf Club and its friendly foe White Bear Lake Golf Course in the opening two rounds. Kenosee then out drove number one ranked Deer Valley Golf and Resort before taking down the historical Royal Regina Golf Club to reach southern supremacy. General Manager Brent Lothian said the passionate membership of their course allowed them to reach the final vote.

“There is a real sense of community here. Everyone is willing to come out and help with jobs that need to be done around the course. They really feel it’s their course, they take great pride in it,” Lothian said.

Both finalists provided a foursome pass to their clubs to a lucky voter, the winner was Sean Stefan. Jeremy Blais won a $100 gift card from PLYR Golf and a Drive the Green t-shirt.

Overall the campaign received over 15,000 votes.

(A view from Golf Kenosee’s popular first hole.)

Golf courses will be allowed to open for play on May 15.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe made the announcement on Thursday during part of the province’s plan to “re-open” following shutdowns brought on by COVID-19.

On March 26, courses were named as “non-allowable” businesses and told to close. No courses were open to play but several across Saskatchewan closed their year-round restaurants or banquet services due to the spread of the virus. Moe said during the announcement the government is trying to find balance of health and safety.

“We have to find the middle ground that continues to keep our case numbers low and keep Saskatchewan people safe while at the same time allowing for businesses to reopen and Saskatchewan people to get back to work,” Moe said.

Every province across Canada had shut down golf except British Columbia. Courses could use their own discretion. The clubs were allowing play with conditions regarding social distancing and other measures, the same will be for Saskatchewan.

Courses will need to adhere to these mandates:

• Physical distancing
• One person to a cart (walking encouraged)
• Raised cups with flags in
• No walk-ons, all players must have tee times
• Tee times 20 minutes apart
• Rakes and ball washers removed
• Public washrooms will be closed
• Driving ranges and putting greens closed
• Locker rooms closed

The Government of Saskatchewan has their five phase plan laid out here and distributed a “Re-Open Plan.” More golf course guidelines can be found on page 35.

Courses will need to keep their restaurants closed for seating, curbside pickup will be allowed. Eating and licensed establishments such as clubhouses are included in phase 3 of the reopen plan but no date was given. Public gatherings are still restricted to under 10.

Golf Saskatchewan, as part of the allied golf associations, has been working with the government (Canadian Society of Club Managers – Saskatchewan Branch, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada – Prairie Chapter, Professional Golfers Association of Canada – Saskatchewan Zone, and Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association) with the hopes of reopening the sport of golf safely during the pandemic. Golf Saskatchewan executive director Brian Lee said he’s pleased the announcement, but safety is still top priority for the people of the province.

“We are pleased with the outcome of today’s announcements. The Government of Saskatchewan’s Business Response Team was great to work with during the lead up to the announcement today. The allied golf associations look forward to working with the Government of Saskatchewan in the days ahead to ensure the health and safety of all the stakeholders and participants as our sport reopens, under the COVID-19 procedures and guidelines,” Lee stated.

Golf Saskatchewan’s provincial championship schedule has not been modified as of today, but will review our procedures and rules for our events in the coming days and weeks. The start of the official season was April 15, scoring for the new World Handicap System will begin when courses open.

Parks and campgrounds will be open on June 1.