The Estevan Chamber of Commerce hosted its ninth annual Get out on the Green golf event at the Estevan Woodlawn Golf Course on Aug. 13.
鈥淚t is a chance for people to get out of the office, to have a day out at the golf course, to catch up on what鈥檚 happening with the chamber and what we are up to. And it鈥檚 also a great opportunity for the chamber to get out and thank our members and thank our sponsors. And it鈥檚 a good event for the chamber as far as generating some revenue to help us push forward with our initiatives,鈥� explained Estevan chamber鈥檚 executive director Jackie Wall.
They were unable to do the shotgun start, and tee-off times were staggered 10 minutes apart. However, they did maintain most of the Texas scramble rules.
Sixty-eight members of the chamber, which formed 17 teams, enjoyed the day of golfing.
After they received clearance for organizing the event, the chamber had only about two weeks to put everything together. And the participants seemed to be really grateful for the opportunity to get their minds off the daily tasks.
鈥淚t was really refreshing, people were anxious to get out and do something that was a little bit back to usual with a lot of modifications, but overall we had such great comments. People were very happy that we were able to move ahead, even though we had to have some special parameters in place,鈥� said Wall.
鈥淲e were very fortunate to be able to have a lot of sponsors. If they chose they could be at their hole within specific guidelines. We were also very fortunate to be able to have a lot of sponsors. And I just want to say thank you to everybody that supported us this year.鈥�
She added that in golf it鈥檚 really easy to maintain distance between players, which allowed them to enjoy the day of outdoor activities in great company.
HUB International and Wil-Tech teams scored 58. There were no mulligans or a putting string this year because they had to minimize contact between people. So they ended up doing a count back and HUB International was claimed the winner of the event.
Due to COVID-related safety measures, the chamber also wasn鈥檛 able to have a big banquet at the end, but people could get their burgers as they were coming in and then they could either stay a bit longer or leave after they were done.
"The chamber was still able to have many points of contact with not only the golfers but with the sponsors as well,鈥� said Wall. 鈥淲e were able to really talk to people and see how they were doing, how they were coping, how things were adjusting within their businesses or their industry.鈥�
With the great amount of diversity in what different businesses are facing, for the chamber it鈥檚 important to stay relevant.
鈥淢any of them have taken on the huge challenge of pivoting their business or working within the new restrictions. For some businesses, they鈥檝e even been busier. Obviously, some have been very, very slow or they鈥檝e had to shut down entirely,鈥� said Wall.
The chamber is currently trying to decide on the best format for their coffee talks, which is another initiative that helps them to stay in touch with their members and better understand their needs. With the restriction for larger gatherings, they might consider a virtual format. The decision will be made in September.
