The City of Saskatoon’s Holiday Park Golf Course is now hosting Golf Saskatchewan’s second SoloRider golf cart.
The cart is used for people living with disabilities that allows them full access on a golf course as well as being stood up either left or right handed enabling a golf swing. Golf Saskatchewan has had a SoloRider cart at Silverwood Golf Course since 2014 and delivered another cart to Holiday Park on Sept. 1. Saskatoon Recreation Services Manager Roxanne Melnyk said adding another cart to the city’s golf courses is an important initiative.
“We’re really excited to partner with Golf Saskatchewan and to have them allow us to bring the SoloRider to Holiday Park Golf Course,” Melnyk said.
According to the City of Saskatoon the SoloRider at the par-3 Silverwood course is used once a week during the season. Melnyk said adding a cart to the fleet at the city’s flagship championship course that has 27 holes to play will hopefully get more people out playing.
“It’s used on a regular basis over there, so we’re really excited to increase accessibility to people in the Saskatoon area,” Melnyk said.
Golf Saskatchewan purchased the carts with grant assistance from Para Athletics and Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association. The amateur golf association also has a third cart that could potentially end up being housed at Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon. Melnyk said anything the city can do to make physical activity more accessible is key for Saskatoon.
“Our goal is to ensure we have facilities that are accessible to everybody and to be able to provide recreation to everybody in the city of Saskatoon and this is just another amenity that we are able to now provide,” she added.
The trio of SoloRiders in Golf Saskatchewan’s fleet have travelled around the province. Royal Regina Golf Club had one for several years, most recently a cart was in North Battleford that allowed a few locals to get back into the game according to Golf Saskatchewan Executive Director Brian Lee.
“Even if they want to go out and tag along with their friends, they can now do that. If they want to play one hole, 18 holes, or they want to start competition again, this unit definitely allows someone to come back and experience the game in a positive light,” Lee said.
The carts are available at the golf courses for anyone needing mobility assistance to play, there is no charge to use the cart.
Golf Saskatchewan hopes to increase their fleet in years to come and have as many as 10 across Saskatchewan if the need is there. Lee wished the carts weren’t needed for anyone, but unfortunately accidents occur, and health cycles will continue, but he added if one person is able to use the cart at any facility to play one more round, it’s a moment that may live on for many years.
“We just want to have them available, especially to now the citizens of Saskatoon, so that they can come out and enjoy this great game. We call this the greatest social game ever created and I think everyone if they are able, or want to come out and play,” Lee concluded.
