“Things are working really well,” Neufeld stated. “The course is in beautiful shape. The crew is doing a great job. There are changes all the time, which we are glad to have.”
The course is now open to everyone, members and non-members alike. There are still no walk-ups, but everyone can schedule a tee time. They are also closer together now. At first, for social distancing reasons, tee times were 20 minutes apart. However, now that 50 people are allowed at an outdoor event, they have increased them to every 15 minutes. This allows more people to use the course.
On the greens, the upside down cups used at the holes so people did not have to dig for the balls have been replaced by regular ones. Pool noodles help keep the balls high enough they can be pulled out easily, while still having them drop for realistic game play.
Cart rentals are still for one person only, with an exception for family members. They are hoping to open that up as soon as the rules change.
Neufeld said all of the leagues have started. The preceding week, ladies’, men’s and senior’s golfing leagues hit the links, which shows everything is starting to get back to normal.
However, they have not yet scheduled any tournaments.
“We have nothing for June or July. We are sort of playing that by ear. When we have a tournament, we have 50-80 people here at once, which is hard to do with social distancing. When the rules change, we hope it will be in our favour and we will look at it.”
Like many, the golf club is looking to June 21 for more announcements regarding opening.
Over in the Deloraine Golf and Country Club, they do have tournaments scheduled. On June 18, there is the senior’s tournament, with the ladies’ tournament following on June 20 and the men’s tilt on June 27. Each has a maximum of 36 golfers.
In the Boissevain clubhouse, Neufeld said manager Christina Ducharme has come up with a limited menu, with items like burgers, chicken fingers, fries and other finger foods but they are also serving breakfast for the early golfers. Staff are behind their Plexiglas for protection, and though they can have limited seating inside for eight to ten people, the outdoor dining is becoming increasingly popular. Neufeld said the Turtle Mountain Ag Society lent them a few picnic tables, which they are not using due to the fair being shut down, which helps accommodate the take out diners.
In order to hit the course from the start, golfers in Boissevain had to have their memberships paid up. Neufeld feels this helped them get them in, and they likely have about 80% paid. As things open up and the weather improves, the golf course is becoming more of a popular destination. He said there was a Saturday recently when they took in over $600 in green fees alone, before cart rentals.
“Certainly on weekends, we are very busy,” Neufeld said. “You might not get the tee times you want because it’s busy, but you can get out there.”
Although he has not noticed it so much with adults, there seems to be an increase of golfing activity with the junior golfers. With fewer recreation options, more young people might be taking advantage of the greens more than usual.
The weather has been good, the course looks fantastic, and Neufeld said they are continuing to do their best to make the best of what they have out at the golf club.
“It has been quite a process. It is moving along and we will move with everything. We are fortunate to have golfing now. At least we can do something. It might not be exactly the way we want to do it, but we are still able to golf.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff