Yesterday (April 30) the Government of Alberta announced a phased-in relaunch to reopen closed businesses and services that have been shut-down for weeks as the economy has struggled under the pressures brought on by COVID-19.

There was good news for Alberta golfers in that announcement when the province said that golf courses could reopen on Monday, May 4th with restrictions including keeping clubhouses and pro shops closed.  

The news was welcomed by all golf courses in the province, along with our area golf courses.

Here's what a few local courses are doing:

Chinook Valley Golf Course south of Spirit River says that they will be working over the next couple of days to put forward their official opening date, along with their protocols to continue preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Eaglesham Lakeside Golf & Country Club is also working on their opening date and their protocols. They are also waiting for the fairways to firm up, and the water that’s still sitting or getting pumped off.

River Stone Golf Course & Campground will be opening on Monday to members only for now, with the clubhouse to remain closed. 

Pipestone Golf Course has shared some guidelines they'll have in place to keep golfers safe this season. These include:

  • Increase the frequency of cleaning, sanitation and disinfecting of all locations, especially high traffic areas such as counter surfaces, tables, public restrooms, door handles, and more.
  • Conduct meetings by phone or online wherever possible. For in-person meetings, ensure safe social distancing (6+ feet) between attendees.
  • Use ‘call-ahead, take-out’ or to-go service.
  • Encourage prepayment by phone.
  • Implement ‘tap’ credit and debit card payments to reduce hand-to-hand contact.
  • Encourage golfers to walk.