Dear Members,

On behalf of the Saskatchewan Allied Association (Canadian Society of Club Managers, Golf Saskatchewan, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, PGA of Canada, Saskatchewan Zone and Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association), we wanted to ensure that you were aware of the updated version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan which was just announced today by the Provincial Government.

Some of the revised guidelines within the updated version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan include:

• A maximum of four players per group is permitted.

• Tee times must be a minimum of 12 minutes apart to avoid congestion on the course.

• Flags must remain in place and measures must be taken to prevent the ball from dropping in the hole, eliminating the need for players to contact the pin or cup. This may include such measures as levelling the cup, elevating the cup or installing a touch-free ball removal mechanism.

• Driving ranges and practice putting/chipping greens can open if physical distancing (minimum of two metres) is maintained. Range balls must be cleaned and disinfected between customers. For the practice putting/chipping greens, flags must remain in place and measures must be taken to prevent the ball from dropping in the hole. This may include such measures as levelling the cup, elevating the cup or installing a touch-free ball removal mechanism.

• Retail sales must follow the Clothing and Retail Guidelines on P. 35.

• Removal of the requirement for pre-payment before showing up to play

• Group lessons and tournaments are prohibited. League play and one-on-one lessons may occur if all other criteria are met.

The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is built on a methodical and phased-in approach to slowly and responsibly lift restrictions on businesses and services. With golf included in the plan on May 15th, as an industry we are all encouraged to remain vigilant to ensure that all public health measures are met or exceeded at our respective golf courses moving forward.

The Saskatchewan Allied Golf Associations will continue to maintain regular dialogue and engagement with the Province of Saskatchewan as we move into the next phases of the plan once May 15th has passed.

» Download the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Kim Larsen
Administrator
306-220-6884

Dear Members,

On behalf of the Saskatchewan Allied Association (Canadian Society of Club Managers, Golf Saskatchewan, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, PGA of Canada, Saskatchewan Zone and Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association), we wanted to send you a note to update you on the work we are doing together on behalf of the golf industry in Saskatchewan.

As you are well aware, golf in Saskatchewan has been deemed a non-essential business service within the current Public Health Order which means that all courses must remain closed at this time. Golf courses can however continue to employ staff to maintain the course ensuring that the staff follow social distancing practices and all other safety protocols as directed by the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer.

As the Province of Saskatchewan develops their action plan for economic recovery, the Saskatchewan Allied Golf Association has extended their support towards this task. In addition to the health and safety of our communities, we understand the importance of restarting the economy as well as ensuring the mental health of people moving forward through the recovery phase and we believe that golf is uniquely positioned to help support that mission.

Fortunately, golf courses are very well positioned to adhere to all physical distancing, sanitation and safety protocols established by the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer so it is for these reasons that we have submitted our request to government that golf courses be among the first industries for approval to open once the COVID-19 health management allows for Provincial economic recovery strategies to proceed.

We have also developed golf course Safety Best Practices that further support the safety commitment of the golf industry. These have also been provided to government. Click here to access the Safety Best Practices.

Overall, golf in Saskatchewan generates $446 million in gross domestic product, more than all other participation sports. That includes millions of dollars in charitable funds raised each year, once again more than all other sports and our 204 golf courses and driving ranges employ over 17,000 Saskatchewan residents. As you can see, we are an important part of the government’s economic recovery plan once government feels they can safely begin to expand the list of businesses allowed to be open.

We will continue to work on your behalf and keep you updated as this issue develops.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. For best practices and resources, please visit: https://www.ngcoa.ca/resources/4679/best-practices

Stay well!!

April 16, 2020

From our perspective at the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association, and being a partner with the allied golf association in Saskatchewan, our collective comments at this time would be as follows:

All allied golf associations in Saskatchewan are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our members, golfers, staff, volunteers and industry stakeholders as well as every Canadian in the communities where we live, work and plan.

We are fully supportive of the recommendations and guidelines established by Health Canada, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and public health experts to stop the community spread of the virus.

The allied golf associations in Saskatchewan are working collaboratively with the Province of Saskatchewan during these challenging times.

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.

NOTE: Allied Golf Associations / We Are Golf Saskatchewan

• • Canadian Society of Club Managers, Saskatchewan Branch
• • Golf Saskatchewan
• • National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, Prairie Chapter
• • Professional Golfers Association of Canada, Saskatchewan Zone
• • Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association

Saskatchewan Bulletin #9 - April 2, 2020  - (This information was received after newsletter went to print)

Clarification on Golf Courses & Maintaining Physical Assets

As a result of the Province of Saskatchewan’s declaration of restrictions for critical public service or allowable business service  in  the  recent  Public Health Order on Wednesday, March 25 , the NGCOA Canada now has received written confirmation from the Government clarifying the list of allowable business services and how that relates at this time, directly to the operation of your golf course as well as the ability to perform work by your turf and maintenance team members.

At this time, golf courses do not qualify as a critical public service or allowable business service. The golf course must remain closed to the   public  as  they  are  classified  in  Saskatchewan  as  a  recreational   facility.  However,   Landscaping   is   allowed   and   golf   course  physical assets must be maintained, with two meters social distancing enforced .

The Government of Saskatchewan and other agencies have enacted a range of supports to  help  businesses  and  employers  during  the COVID-19 pandemic. Comprehensive information on the programs and resources available can be found on the Saskatchewan Business Response Team website .

Your Association continues to monitor this fluid situation and will continue to keep you apprised of the latest developments.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at ngcoa@ngcoa.ca should you have any questions.

Your NGCOA Canada Team