As golf courses start to open up across the province again, golfers will notice new protocols due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As of May 1, the Valley Course at Bear Mountain in Langford is open for public play while the Mountain Course remains members only.

Director of Golf Rob Larocque said a baseline of COVID-19 procedures was set in March as the courses remained open for members. After that, more protocols kept being added to keep staff and members safe.

B次元官网网址淵ou start to realize how many touch points you have at a facility,B次元官网网址� Larocque said. B次元官网网址淐ommunication needed to be extremely fluid with our staff.B次元官网网址�

While the courses are reopening under B次元官网网址渆xtreme protocols,B次元官网网址� Larocque said they are constantly evolving. Some of the protocols involve 15-minute tee time intervals, everyone must be on their own power carts which are sanitized with an approved food grade sanitizer, there will be no bag drop, there is no food or beverage service and green fees are pre-paid online.

Larocque said there are frequent reminder signs about protocols and physical distancing as well as sanitizer stations. Larocque said staff are excited to be open.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e all very proud of our property and we want people to enjoy it B次元官网网址� golf is a safe sport if you follow the protocols,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 share golf balls or equipment, thereB次元官网网址檚 acres and acres of space, so as long as people are paying attention, they can golf in a socially distant way.B次元官网网址�

The importance of golf when it comes to helping charities has not been lost on Bear Mountain either. Larocque noted that many charities rely on golf tournaments and events to raise funds.

In order to help out, a portion of green fees collected in May at Bear Mountain goes to the COVID-19 Langford Response Team.

B次元官网网址淏ear Mountain has always been keen on supporting the community and local charities and weB次元官网网址檙e excited to be able to still contribute and make a difference,B次元官网网址� said Shannon Drew, vice president of corporate affairs and community initiatives at Bear Mountain.

Find a full list of protocols at .

Olympic View Golf Club opens its doors to the public May 2.

A notice on the website says staff there too are monitoring the pandemic and changing protocol as needed. Bookings at Olympic View are by phone only, two days in advance with a captain for the group making the reservation for all players. More protocols are listed online at.

shalu.mehta@blackpress.ca