The Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM) will be increasing staff at Tomahawk Golf Course in order to meet provincial requirements to welcome guests back.
“Our goal is to open this Friday the 19th with control mechanisms in place,” said Shawn Everitt, CAO of the TBM during a council meeting held on Monday. “Significantly more resources are required to provide a similar level of service than prior to pandemic.”
The Tomahawk Golf Course has previously operated on an honour system with a pay box at the entry, which asked users to pay $10 per round.
TBM staff estimate that last season the Tomahawk Golf Course saw 52,000 rounds played, based on the payments collected through the honour system.
Now, with social distancing and safety requirements, the town is required to ensure proper traffic flow and proper space between golf groups.
“We did get confirmation from the public health unit that this is a requirement to open the course,” said Ryan Gibbons, director of community services for TBM. “We need the controls in place to offset the tee times. The biggest change for us is having someone taking tee times as well as ensuring there is that spacing between the groups.”
The new staff members will be responsible for monitoring, educating and enforcing physical distancing, group numbers, as well as other public health recommendations.
“Staff suggest that temporary infrastructure, with minimal cost, be installed to implement three sectioned off areas that allow for one foursome at the tee deck; two-foursomes, totalling eight people physically-distanced, in the secondary area; and a third area housing two additional foursomes,” explained Everitt.
Due to the added staffing requirement, TBM council also decided to up the rate for an individual round of golf from $10 to $17.50.
“There are extra costs that you would not normally see and that is the COVID-surcharge,” said Councillor Rob Sampson. “We have to recover these costs somewhere.”
TBM staff have estimated the additional staffing and reopening costs to be approximately $37,100.
TBM council have also asked staff to explore the options of offering a discounted season pass, which is currently sold at $275 per season; to allow season passes to be sold on-site; and to acquire a Visa/debit machine.
Youth golfers will still be able to golf for free and parking will be set up in the large soccer field parking area. Staff anticipate the course will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To reserve a tee time, you'll have to call the town at 519-599-3131, ext. 350.
