Dear Golf Patrons,
The Vancouver Park Board is reopening Fraserview and McCleery golf courses on Friday May 1, 2020.
Langara Golf Course will remain closed for play, as the clubhouse is currently being used to prepare meals for residents of the Downtown Eastside.
Fraserview and McCleery will open for online booking at 11am today (Monday, April 27th). There will be no back-9 morning play until further notice.
Pitch and putts in Stanley, Rupert and Queen Elizabeth parks will also remain closed for the time being.
The decision to reopen Fraserview and McCleery was made after significant preparation and consultation with industry partners and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), who confirms that golf provides a safe outdoor recreation opportunity during this difficult time as long as specific physical distancing golf protocols are in place.
Based on BC Ministry of Health requirements, staff have planned a series of comprehensive measures for golfers and staff to ensure safe play at both courses. Course marshals will ask anyone not complying to leave.
- Golfers will be asked to arrive at the course no more than 20 minutes prior to tee off, and to remain in their vehicles (no congregating) until they are ready to play. They will be directed to leave immediately after completing their play.
- A golf starter will be stationed outside the Golf Shop to direct guest entry, start groups off the first tee and to enforce physical distancing.
- Only two patrons will be allowed in each Golf Shop at a time.
- All bookings will be completed online, no walk-ups allowed.
- Food and beverage services will remain closed and contactless pay will be required (debit and credit only, no cash.)
- Golfers will tee off at 18 minute intervals (half as many tee times as normal) which will result in a maximum of 12 golfers teeing off per hour.
- A single rider cart policy will be implemented with all carts being sanitized in a designated area between use.
- All frequent touch points such as bunker rakes, garbage can lids, sand bottles, ball washers, and shoe blowers will be removed.
- Physical distancing standing circles will be painted on the cart paths at every tee box area.
- Pull carts will be cleaned and sanitized for every user. No rental clubs will be available.
- Flag sticks will not be touched. Cup fillers will keep the ball from going to the bottom of the hole.
Measures have also been introduced to keep golf course maintenance staff safe. Schedules have been adapted and on-course procedures adopted to distance crew members. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has also been provided and will be in use. Communications staff have developed a comprehensive signage plan to ensure all users are aware of these changes.
The golf courses average 100+ acres each and provide the ideal location for healthy activity with ample space for physical distancing.
Walkers (one-way) will still be welcome on the courses from dawn until 8 a.m. on the back nine holes for community members to access nature and green space.
