The Madge Lake Golf Resort opened for the season on May 15, adhering to provincial guidelines.
Rich Patterson, general manager, spoke with the Kamsack Times recently about how everything is proceeding for now.
鈥淲e were allowed to open as part of Phase Two of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan,鈥� said Patterson. 鈥淲e are in compliance with all the provincial guidelines. There are quite a number of them due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are doing everything possible to protect our patrons.鈥�
One of the new features at the Clubhouse is a newly-installed window near the main doors, so people will not have to physically enter the building. There will only be two people allowed into the Clubhouse at a time, and any players exhibiting signs of illness will not be allowed to play.
Physical distancing must be observed at all times, with a minimum of two metres between individuals.
鈥淎nother thing to point out is that anyone who wishes to play on the course must have a pre-booked tee time,鈥� Patterson continued. 鈥淣o walk-on players will be permitted.鈥�
A maximum of four players per group is permitted and tee times must be a minimum of 12 minutes apart to avoid congestion on the course. Walking is encouraged, but golf carts may be used with a limit of one person per cart, unless the individuals are from the same household.
鈥淭he power carts are 小蓝视频 washed and sanitized after each use, and all touch surfaces are 小蓝视频 cleaned and disinfected regularly,鈥� he said. 鈥淩ental clubs are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after use.鈥�
For now on the food and beverage side, the kitchen is open for take-out and delivery orders only, he continued. 鈥淲e are offering free delivery in the Madge Lake area.鈥�
The first of biweekly wing nights for takeout and delivery was held on May 23. 鈥淲e will run the wing nights every second Saturday, so the next one will be on June 6, and so on.鈥�
Patterson said he has been in close consultations with officials from the Saskatchewan Health Authority to discuss protocols and decide when some restrictions may be lifted. He is hopeful that by mid-June the Clubhouse will be able to accommodate diners at 50 per cent capacity seating.
鈥淲e are working within the constraints and are making it work,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have a newly appointed assistant manager, Henry Thomas of Kamsack, and right now our complement of staff is down from other years as we are not hosting large functions as we normally would. All of our large gatherings for June have been cancelled, but we are hopeful that by August we will be able to once again host larger gatherings.
鈥淥ur popular Wednesday 鈥楳en鈥檚 Night鈥� will be starting up on June 3. Players must call in by noon to get on the list, and staggered tee times will begin at 4 p.m.
鈥淭he main thing for people to remember is stay at home if you鈥檙e not feeling well or have any symptoms of illness,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just really wonderful to see the smiles on people鈥檚 faces when they come out here to enjoy the beautiful conditions on the course this spring, after such a long winter. It鈥檚 such a positive experience. We鈥檙e doing what is necessary, and are hopeful that restrictions will begin to loosen up a bit, moving forward. Until then, we want everyone to come out and enjoy their game, and stay safe.鈥�
The complete provincial guidelines may be found on the Government of Saskatchewan website. For more information about Madge Lake Golf Resort visit its website at madgelakegolf.com. All updates will be posted on the website and Facebook page.
