Membership Update March 2021
27 MAR 2021
On behalf of everyone at ClubLink, we hope that you and your family are keeping well and looking forward to the golf season.
As we look back to a year ago, the worldwide pandemic had just been declared and we were entering our first lockdown. Amidst the misfortune that followed, we are very grateful that golf was back in our lives by mid-May and we were able to make it through the 2020 season with no known transmission at any of our Clubs. When you consider there were 1.2 million rounds of golf played at our Clubs last year, this is remarkable. Thank you for doing your part to help keep everyone safe.
It is our expectation that we will be able to open our Clubs and operate under similar protocols to those that were in place last fall. At this stage, access to our Clubs and amenities is permitted on a pre-booked basis only. Barring any changes to the current public health restrictions, we are planning to open as the weather and course conditions allow.
Aside from keeping everyone safe, one of our biggest priorities in 2021 will be adapting to the expected demand for tee times. We’ve implemented the modifications outlined in our last update such as: limiting Member counts and further reducing corporate event rounds. Opening tee sheets earlier Monday to Friday along with restricting access for certain Member categories in prime demand times will also contribute to tee time availability.
The five-day booking window and staggered approach to daily opening of the booking system will continue, although there will be some adjustments to ensure the process is equitable and most effective. Watch for an update email in the next day or two dedicated to this subject.
We anticipate that public health restrictions will continue to limit our hospitality operations and masks will be required indoors while not seated for dining. Safety requirements have changed slightly since last fall and we are updating our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) accordingly. The updated SOP will be published online just before opening.
Our culinary and service teams will do their best to make your experience enjoyable. Watch for QR codes at your table to scan with your smartphone to make menu viewing convenient and paperless/touchpoint free. Where practicable, and for your convenience, our golf shops will offer a selection of grab and go food and beverage items.
Last season, we installed touchless water bottle filling stations at a few locations and this was well received as an environmentally positive solution and convenient service. We are in the process of provisioning these filling stations at all of our Clubs where potable water solutions are possible.
Later this spring, our fleet of golf carts (over 3,500) will be outfitted with coolers. Members and guests can purchase food items or refreshments (including alcoholic beverages, now that provincial policy no longer dictates that items must be opened at point of purchase) to be stowed in coolers and enjoyed during the round.
Our in-round hospitality services will be limited to halfway houses (where provided) or stationary hospitality stations again this season. We are committed to providing access to hospitality service outlets at three points during your visit to our Clubs including: prior to play, once during your round, and after golf.
Driving range access will be available for warm-up prior to a pre-booked round of golf and for practice or lessons by appointment only through the Golf Genius web application. Your Home Club will provide the latest details for using the application.
We do not plan to offer club storage or locker room use at the start of the season and will monitor the circumstances around covid-19 to determine if these services would be appropriate to provide as the season unfolds.
With rounds played approaching 30,000 per 18-hole equivalent, and the game of golf being a shared experience, it has never been more important for all of us to support the golfer’s code of conduct for course care. This includes being mindful of the faster pace of play that has been established along with replacing divots and fixing ball marks.
While the outlook for 2021 remains somewhat unpredictable, we are committed to providing the best possible experience and operating as safely and responsibly as possible.
At this stage, we are watching the weather and monitoring course conditions with an eye towards opening as soon as possible. We are targeting the Easter weekend to open most courses in the GTA. Watch for a further update this week about course openings.
If you have questions or need assistance with your membership in any way, please contact us at memberservices@clublink.ca or call 1-800-273-5113.
Thank you for your continued loyalty and support.
Sincerely,
John Finlayson
Chief Operating Officer
ClubLink Corporation