UPDATE ON GOLF COURSE OPENINGS ACROSS CANADA
MESSAGE FROM GOLF CANADA CEO LAURENCE APPLEBAUM
STATEMENT FROM ‘WE ARE GOLF’ ABOUT COVID-19
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA (COVID-19) LINKS
GOLF CANADA EVENT & PROGRAM UPDATES
SUPPORT FROM GOLF CANADA’S PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
PROVINCIAL GOLF ASSOCIATION RESOURCES & COURSE OPENING UPDATES
CANADIAN GOLF MEDIA & OTHER NEWS
INTRODUCTION
Golf Canada is committed to fostering a safe sport environment. Through this difficult and unprecedented crisis, that commitment includes the health and well-being of golfers as well as every Canadian in the communities where we live and play. Our thoughts are with those personally affected by the virus including their families, our most vulnerable citizens and the incredible health care workers who are facing the pandemic on the front lines.
Our industry is fortunate to have a wide-ranging support network of provincial, national and international partners bringing together their expertise to help Canadian golf navigate through the uncertainty of COVID-19.
Collaboration and information sharing are critical during this challenging time and Golf Canada has created the resource page below with helpful links to support our member clubs, golfers and our many industry partners coming together during this crisis. The resource page will be updated regularly as information and updates become available.
GOLF’S PLAYBOOK FOR CANADA
Golf’s Playbook for Canada is a collaborative effort between Golf Canada, Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada, Canadian Society of Club Managers, and Canadian Golf Superintendent Association. This is a resource for golfers to understand and navigate the golf experience through the COVID-19 pandemic.
UPDATE ON GOLF COURSE OPENINGS ACROSS CANADA
MESSAGE FROM GOLF CANADA CEO LAURENCE APPLEBAUM
STATEMENT FROM ‘WE ARE GOLF’ ABOUT COVID-19
We Are Golf (The National Allied Golf Associations/NAGA) 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 play. Click here to read the full statement.
Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, We Are Golf (The National Allied Golf Associations/NAGA) has postponed National Golf Day in Canada, originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2020. Click here to read more.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA (COVID-19) LINKS
Golf Canada fully supports the recommendations and guidelines of Health Canada, the World Health Organization and regional public health experts to prevent the community spread of COVID-19.
GOLF CANADA EVENT, PROGRAM AND GOLF SERVICES UPDATES
Golf Canada continues to evaluate all aspects of our business and take precautions for the well being of our athletes, staff, coaches, partners and volunteers. Cost controls and risk mitigation protocols have been enacted and we are working with our provincial, national and international partners along with our member clubs to gather the information we need to make informed and responsible decisions.
- Golf Canada launches COVID-19 Golf Relief Fund (July 28, 2020)
- COVID-19 Rules of Golf and Rules of Handicapping FAQs (Updated July 13, 2020)
- 2020 CP Women’s Open postponed until 2021 (June 30, 2020)
- Update on the 2020 CP Women’s Open (May 28, 2020)
- IGF announces cancellation of 2020 World Amateur Team Championship due to COVID-19 (May 6, 2020)
- Update on the 2020 CP Women’s Open (April 23, 2020)
- 2020 RBC Canadian Open cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic (April 16, 2020)
- RBC Canadian Open statement re: City of Toronto decision to pull all city permits as a covid-19 precaution (March 31, 2020)
- Golf Canada announces event cancellations and postponements (March 30, 2020)
- RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifiers postponed due to COVID-19 (March 30, 2020)
- Update on the 2020 RBC Canadian Open (March 17, 2020)
- Update on the 2020 CP Women’s Open (March 17, 2020)
COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND:
Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation have joined together to launch the COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND, to support golf courses in helping employees and golfers stay safe while also thanking front-line workers through encouraging additional play and welcoming juniors to further experience the game. Click here to learn more about the RELIEF FUND.
- Click here to learn more about the COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND Sweepstakes.
- Click here to donate to the COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND.
SUPPORT FROM GOLF CANADA’S PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS:
Resources from Golf Canada’s professional advisors outlining the various government programs being implemented to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This overview is subject to change as the pandemic progresses.
- Webinar: Risk Management Strategies for the Golf Industry amid COVID-19 – VIDEO I PRESENTATION I WAIVER (Cowan Insurance Group, Sport Law & Strategy Group, Signature Risk Partners Inc. and Golf Canada, May 7, 2020)
- Webinar: Cash flow and Government Relief in the time of COVID-19 – VIDEO (BDO Canada & Golf Canada, April 20, 2020)
- Comparison of Financial Relief Measures Announced by Canadian Governments – RESOURCE (Stikeman Elliott LLP, April 14, 2020)
PROVINCIAL GOLF ASSOCIATION RESOURCES & UPDATES
Our partners at the Provincial Golf Associations are working incredibly hard to understand the impact of COVID-19 on golf in each province and will continue to seek clarity from municipal and provincial government and health authorities to help our member clubs and golfers navigate through this crisis. Next to each link below you will find the date golf courses are/were permitted to open in that province.
- British Columbia Golf (Courses not mandated to close)
- Alberta Golf (May 2)
- Golf Saskatchewan (May 15)
- Golf Manitoba (May 4)
- Golf Ontario (May 16)
- Golf Québec (May 20, with Pro Shops permitted to open with restrictions beginning May 4)
- Golf New Brunswick (April 24)
- Nova Scotia Golf Association (May 16)
- Prince Edward Island Golf Association (May 1)
- Golf Newfoundland Labrador (May 11)
ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY RESOURCES
- COVID-19 Return to High Performance Sport Framework
- Golf Club Risk Assessment and Mitigation Checklist Tool
- PGA of Canada (Members Only)
- Canadian Society of Club Managers
- National Golf Course Owners Association Canada
- Canadian Golf Superintendents Association
- Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
- USGA Green Section
- Boston Consulting Group – Rapid Response Checklist
- Adrenaline Magazine (Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance Partner) Resources
- Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy
CANADIAN GOLF MEDIA & OTHER NEWS:
The impact of COVID-19 continues to be the defining narrative in Canadian golf media. Below is a collection of relevant articles about the ongoing impact of the virus on Canadian golf.
August:
- Golf sees surge amid COVID-19 pandemic (RMOToday.comToday, August 11, 2020)
- Trading one bunker for another: Finding a respite from the pandemic on the golf course (The Globe & Mail, August 8, 2020)
July:
- Golf courses in Kamloops seeing major upswing in numbers of people playing (CFJC Today, July 22, 2020)
- Pandemic boosts golf to new heights of popularity (Kitchener/Waterloo Record, July 13, 2020)
- Canadians playing more golf in 2020 once COVID 19 restrictions lifted (Golf Canada, July 8, 2020)
- Golf in the time of COVID (Golf Canada, July 6, 2020)
June:
- Provincial amateur golf championships go ahead with COVID-19 safety protocols (Golf Canada, June 24, 2020)
- COVID-19 protocol loosened at golf courses in Alberta (CTV News Calgary, June 20, 2020)
- Golf the sport of choice during the pandemic (CTV News Atlantic Canada, June 19, 2020)
- 7 reasons why golf is the sport of now (Golf Canada, June 16, 2020)
- B.C. Private Clubs Seeing Tiger-Like Surge In Demand (British Columbia Golf, June 5, 2020)
May:
- Having a ball: Tennis players and golfers return to their sports in droves (National Post, May 29, 2020)
- Sports on Pause Podcast – The Only Game in Town (Rogers Sportsnet, May 25, 2020)
- After years of declining interest, golf is suddenly hot again (National Post, May 26, 2020)
- Golfing is now a new experience, from start to finish (TSN, May 21, 2020)
- BC’s Courses Cautiously Crowded (British Columbia Golf, May 18, 2020)
- Long-awaited opening of golf courses fills a major hole (ReginaLeader-Post, May 17, 2020)
- Let’s not squander opportunity (SCOREGolf, May 15, 2020)
- Canadian golf courses aware of responsibility accompanying re-opening (Sportsnet, May 14, 2020)
- Ontario government allows golf courses to open starting May 16 (Golf Canada, May 14, 2020)
- Golf season to kickoff May 20th in Québec (Golf Canada, May 13, 2020)
- Provincial breakdown of golf restrictions during COVID-19 (The Weather Network, May 12, 2020)
- Go on and golf (Macleans Magazine, May 11, 2020)
- Golf courses aiming for ‘touchless experience’ as they begin to open across Canada (CBC News, May 8, 2020)
- Opening of courses a breath of fresh air for Manitoba golfers (Winnipeg Sun, May 4, 2020)
- Some Alberta golf courses open, but things look different thanks to COVID-19 (CTV News Edmonton, May 2, 2020)
- Ford: Golf courses can begin preparations in Ontario (TSN, May 1, 2020)
- Hands-free golf invention answers putting problem (TSN, May 1, 2020)
April:
- Alberta golf courses allowed to open this weekend (Calgary Sun, April 30, 2020)
- Golf industry crossing its fingers as province expected to announce easing of restrictions for some recreational activities (CTV Calgary, April 27, 2020)
- Golf courses to open in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan (TSN, April 27, 2020)
- COVID-19: With weather cooperating, Alberta golf courses hope waiting game is almost over (Calgary Sun, April 26, 2020)
- RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: Ontario players antsy while they swing away in B.C. (The Lush Life, April 24, 2020)
- Golf courses across P.E.I. to implement special measures once chief public health officer says they can open (The Guardian, April 24, 2020)
- New Brunswick Golf Courses set to Re-Open (Golf New Brunswick, April 24, 2020)
- Golf courses named in phase one of Saskatchewan “re-open” (Golf Saskatchewan, April 23, 2020)
- Teeing off during the COVID-19 pandemic (CITYNews Montreal, April 22, 2020)
- Greater Victoria golf courses open with many restrictions (Times Colonist, April 22, 2020)
- Game on (or soon to be) for B.C. golfers as clubs bring in COVID-19 restrictions (CBC News, April 21, 2020)
- Golf industry finding ways to give back (TSN, April 20, 2020)
- Some Vancouver-area golf courses reopening with health officials’ blessing (CTV News, April 20, 2020)
- New Golf Saskatchewan President Don Kunkel Discusses Golf Courses Opening In That Province (IONO.FM, April 20, 2020)
- ‘It’s like walking through a park’: Some Canadian golfers itching to get back on the course (The Globe & Mail, April 20, 2020)
- Monday musings; Anti-golfers still haven’t made a case (Edmonton Sun, April 20, 2020)
- Leggatt Weighs in on PGA TOUR return (SCOREGolf, April 17, 2020)
- Golf Canada CEO talks cancelled RBC Canadian Open and getting back to golf (Toronto Sun, April 16, 2020)
- Reactions to the cancellation of the 2020 RBC Canadian Open (Golf Canada, April 16, 2020)
- Voices: Tournament Director Bryan Crawford Discusses RBC Canadian Open Being Cancelled (Golf News Now, April 16, 2020)
- Alberta needs to re-examine ban on golf courses (Edmonton Sum, April 16, 2020)
- 5 Ways to Help Your Golf Course From Home (SCOREGolf, April 13, 2020)
- Golf courses aim to be among first wave of Quebec businesses to reopen (CBC News, April 10, 2020)
- When Golf Goes Viral (The Lush Life, April 10, 2020)
- Alberta golf courses hopeful for for permission to open during pandemic (Calgary Herald, April 10, 2020)
- Golf courses still out of bounds for Albertans says Dr. Hinshaw (CTV News, Calgary, April 9, 2020)
- Intruders Are Liable To Become More Commonplace As Pandemic Continues (Golf News Now, April 7, 2020)
- Keeping Golf Courses Safe and Green a Challenge (TSN, April 3, 2020)
- A Solitary Game (SCOREGolf, April 2, 2020)
- NGCOA Provides Helpful Links to Government Programs for Businesses and Individuals (Golf News Now, April 2, 2020)
- Corey Conners making the most of time at home during social distancing (Golf Canada, April 1, 2020)
March:
- Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for July 23 – Aug. 8 in 2021 (Golf Canada, March 30, 2020)
- Better Safe Than Sorry (SCOREGolf, March 30, 2020)
- Canada’s sports organizations eager to unite country when pandemic passes (Golf Canada, March 30, 2020)
- Tips on working at home from Team Canada’s psychologist (Golf Canada, March 30, 2020)
- We’re All in This Together (PostMedia, March 29, 2020)
- Past Pandemics Change the Future for the Better (Healthing.ca, March 29, 2020)
- Pro Calls Out Colleagues to Help Food Bank in Time of Need (Golf News Now, March 26, 2020)
- Possible COVID-19 Shutdown has Edmonton Golf Courses Worried (Edmonton Journal, March 26, 2020)
- Golf Courses Urged to Close Amid COVID-19 Pandemic (TSN, March 24, 2020)
- What to Do About Golf (SCOREGolf, March 23, 2020)
- Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum Asks Golfers to Stay Home During Pandemic (Canadian Press, March 22, 2020)
- For the Love of the Game (SCOREGolf, March 16, 2020)
CONTACT GOLF CANADA
General
Phone: 905-849-9700 | Toll-Free: 1-800-263-0009 | Email: info@golfcanada.ca
Golf Canada Members
Golf Canada and the Provincial Golf Associations value the long-standing support of our members and member clubs. We understand the tremendous impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on everyone’s lives, both personally and professionally. During this challenging time, we are continuing to provide service, support and guidance for all member clubs and golfers. Please email or call with any questions or concerns.
Phone: 905-849-9700 ext. 399 I Toll-Free: 1-800-263-0009 ext. 399 I Email: members@golfcanada.ca
* Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (ET)
Golf Canada Member Club Contacts
Western Canada
Blair Armitage
Regional Director, Western Canada
604-812-7794 I barmitage@golfcanada.ca
Ontario
Ryan Logan (PGA of Canada)
Regional Director, Ontario
647-291-2457 I rlogan@golfcanada.ca
Quebec
Patrick Rhéaume
Regional Director, Quebec
581-745-8510 I prheaume@golfcanada.ca
Atlantic Canada
Jeff Hutt
Regional Director, Atlantic Canada
506-260-6599 I jhutt@golfcanada.ca
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