Multiple Central Okanagan golf courses are opening this week

Central Okanagan residents who have been adamant that golf can be played while respecting social distancing rules have finally gotten their wish.

Three Central Okanagan golf courses will open to the public this week with adapted rules and guidelines to meet physical distancing and sanitization standards recommended by the provincial health officer.

Kelowna Springs, Shadow Ridge and Shannon Lake, which are Play Golf Kelowna (PGK) partner courses, will all open to the public on Wednesday, April 15.

“An abundance of preparation, industry discussion and careful consideration has gone into this decision,” said a statement from PGK.

PGK cites provincial regulations regarding non-essential services that says any business or service “may stay open if it can adapt its services and workplace to the orders and recommendations of the provincial health officer.”

After conferring with courses in the Lower Mainland and Kamloops that have been open over the past few weeks, PGK has implemented the following protocols at all three courses:

• Signage indicating golfers to stay at home if experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, or having returned from travel
• Signage indicating physical distancing reminders around the courses
• Reducing inventory of tee times
• Golfers cannot enter the golf course property earlier than 20 minutes before their tee time
• Limiting number of people in the Golf Shops
• All warm-up areas will be closed (putting greens, hitting nets, etc.)
• Removal of touchpoints on the golf course such as ball washers, bunker rakes, inserts to prevent golf ball from falling to bottom of cup, etc.
• Restaurants remain closed, and gathering places like tables and chairs have been removed
• Golfers must leave the property immediately after golf and no loitering around clubhouses or parking lots

“Golf provides the community with a place for outdoor exercise and much-needed positive mental health stimulation during this difficult time,” said PGK’s statement.

“With an average property size of 100+ acres, the ability for physical distancing (minimum of six feet apart) is easily achievable on a golf course.”

PGK says that a number of other health and safety measures, along with the appropriate signage, will be put in place around each golf course.