Even though the cold weather Airdrie has been experiencing to begin April isn't really conducive to thoughts of massive drives, precision chip shots and draining 50-foot putts, if it were a regular year, the season at the Apple Creek Golf Club would likely be getting underway sometime in the next three weeks.  

But, as anyone who's listened to the news in the past three months can tell you, this is far from a regular year.  The COVID-19 pandemic has virtually stopped the entire world as they continue to battle against the virus.

However, there may be a glimmer of hope for golfers in the province.  After all, most golfers would suggest that golf is played in the great outdoors and could be the only sport that could be played, with certain precautions in place, during COVID-19.

Tyrel Babkirk is the Director of Golf and Head Professional at the Apple Creek Golf Course in Airdrie.  He says, like other businesses, Apple Creek puts the safety of staff, members and daily visitors at the forefront and has been maintaining that by locking the door to the clubhouse, keeping their management team at home and holding off on seasonal staff.   But, he says, they've been told by Golf Alberta to go ahead and prepare as if they are to open for the season at the normal time.

"Most golf facilities tarp or cover their greens in a protective manner to help them insulate over the winter so we've been given that go-ahead to start taking those tarps off, start to see what the plant health is like of our greens and various aspects of our facility."

Some golf courses in B.C. and Ontario have already opened for the year.  Babkirk says while Golf Alberta has told them to go ahead and prepare, he insists the final decision will be made by Alberta Health.  For now, the club is discussing what procedures and precautions will be put into place if they are allowed to move forward.

"Things like increasing our tee time intervals to allow for, what we like to term is 'athletic-distancing'" Babkirk says.  "There are other best practices like how to keep the flag in the cup at all times.  We have come up with a plan to deal with the power-carts, whether it's limiting it to one cart per person, or one cart per husband and wife."

Other items Apple Creek needs to consider is making sure the power-carts are sanitized before and after each round and having more outside staff on the course to monitor and remind people to keep physical-distancing in place. 

Babkirk says while all of their younger members are eager to put the best practices in place on the course, he has heard some hesitation from older members.  "They've said, 'hey, what can we do if we decide we're not going to golf this summer, can we get out money back?'  Obviously, we're going to work with everybody to provide the best service we can during these times."

Babkirk says golfers are hopeful and taking to the course could just be the morale boost that many are hoping for.

While playing golf is one thing, having a meal and a drink after your round is a big part of the game as well.  Babkirk says, like other restaurants, their dining room will remain closed for the time being.  He says take out foods only could be an option for Apple Creek.

The course is also known as being an excellent wedding and banquet facility.  That has a lot of brides pushing back their big days.  "They're going to see what August or September looks like versus trying to have their wedding date on the May long weekend or the early part of June.  We'be been doing a lot of rescheduling of weddings and banquets and corporate functions.

Just in case they get the go-ahead to open, Babkirk says they have a tentative date to do that.  "We're hoping to open on Monday, April 20th and we're pushing to open that Saturday, April 18th.  Mother nature is starting to warm up next week and it looks like the next week could be more in the favourable temperatures to see what could potentially happen."

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