The start of the 2020 golf season in Delta has required a bit of a mulligan.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen area courses closed at various times this spring, but with a flattening of the curve and a push to see the economy gradually re-open, it now appears all layouts are, or will soon be, welcoming golfers.
Under its local state of emergency in March, Delta ordered all courses in the city to close, but when the provincial state of emergency superseded the local one, courses were allowed to re-open, which some did.
“The other courses that are closed do plan to re-open, so what I have suggested to them is that they share their separation plans with Fraser Health and get comments and suggestions with them,” Mayor George Harvie said during a recent virtual town hall. “If we get complaints, we will forward those complaints to Fraser Health.”
Many courses have since taken measures to ensure the safety of golfers.
The Links at Hampton Cove
The Links at Hampton Cove near the banks of the Fraser River in Ladner re-opened for play on April 19 with strict protocols focusing on safety, social distancing and sanitary practices.
The nine-hole course, which submitted its social distancing plans to Fraser Health, has reduced tee times by 50 per cent, meaning bookings will be 20 minutes apart instead of 10 to avoid clusters in the parking lot and around the tee boxes. All tee times must be booked ahead of time either online or by phone and no power carts are allowed.
On the course, players are prohibited from touching the flags and holes are filled with sand to keep them shallow to prevent golfers from reaching into the cup.
At the end of the round, traditional handshakes are strictly prohibited and players must leave the facility immediately upon completing the final hole.
Tsawwassen Springs
Tsawwassen Springs Is scheduled to re-open on Friday, May 1 with a series of regulations aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19.
There will be no pull carts (you can bring your own if required), no power carts and no rental clubs, while only one customer will be allowed in the pro shop at a time. There will also be increased intervals between tee times.
The driving range, putting green and chipping green are all closed, and all ball washers and bunker rakes have been removed.
The cups will be flipped upside down so golfers don’t reach into them to pick out their ball and there will be increased marshalling of golfers to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.
Kings Links by the Sea
Kings Links by the Sea, a traditional links golf course on the shores of Boundary Bay in East Ladner, has partially re-opened after closing for a time due to the pandemic.
In a note posted to its website and Facebook page, the course says to ensure compliance with social distancing and other health directives, it is only open to members and their guests at this time. It goes on to state the course will continue to evaluate the situation and hopes to be in a position to open to the public soon.
Beach Grove Golf Club
The city’s lone private course, Beach Grove Golf Club re-opened for play earlier this week.
“Following a meeting of our board of directors and management we have developed a reopening plan of the golf course for Monday, April 27,” club president Dave Hamilton stated in a message to members on the club’s website. “This date is in line with Capilano, Shaughnessy, Marine Drive and Vancouver, and will be sent to Fraser Health Authority for approval as requested. Looking forward to seeing you at the club.”
Bald Eagle Golf Club
The Bald Eagle Golf Club in Point Roberts has temporarily closed due to a ban on all non-essential cross-border travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. A message on its website says it’s been forced to take that unfortunate step because of its unique location and reliance on the Canadian market. The golf club says it will re-open as soon as possible.
Delta Golf Club and Sunshine Woods Golf Centre are both open for play.
