Page 27 - GBC English Fall 2020

This article was originally published on https://www.playgolfcalgary.com/ risingtide and has been edited with permission for Golf Business Canada.
COVID-19
Silver Lining Prepaid 4-somes
We have had a wild ride so far and the 2020 golf season will be one to remember. With the closure of most golf courses at the beginning of the season, we had to write and rewrite COVID policies and procedures. Simultaneously, we had to source masks, rubber gloves, sanitizer, ball lifters, and train our staff and golfers. We all had a lot on our plate. So, I thought I would take some time to write about something that has had an incredible positive impact on our bottom line so far this season.
THE PROTOCOL THAT CHANGED IT ALL
Alberta Health outlined many protocols, including the “strong suggestion” to require prepayment from golfers to decrease the amount of interaction between golfers and staff members. This protocol was established at a time in Alberta when golf courses were considered “current phase” and were allowed to open before phase 1. This came with great responsibility as the microscope was directly on our industry for a period of time. At
Play Golf Calgary, we were watching protocols in the U.S. and other provinces since the shutdown and were anticipating what the Alberta protocols might be. We researched prepayment and implemented it with our software provider and credit card processor prior to opening.
We are completely adhering to the Alberta Health Protocols, including their strong suggestions and their requirements. The prepayment strong suggestion has had a profound positive impact on
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