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Golf Business Canada
“Golfers will remain cautious for some time and will look for indications - actions more so than talk - that the golf course owner and operator is looking after reliably high cleanliness and sanitation standards.”
2. Identify ‘Safe Haven’ Zones
All users of your facility should be directed to safe zones that are so identified by local police and fire- fighting authorities. There should be multiple gathering places at which members, golfers, and employees can be safely found and taken to safety. First-responders should be advised of these loca- tions, as well.
3. Create Redundancy
Emergencies sometimes over- whelm pre-established plans and systems. Plan for back-up and alternative methods, processes, and systems. Your insurance carri- er is a good source for guidance as are local and provincial authorities.
Proceed with the assumption that when things go wrong, they sometimes multiply. Have a back- up plan at each step.
4. Organize Your Team to React
Establish crisis response teams amongst your staff and members or customers. Identify these indi- viduals by name and secure advanced training for them through local emergency response experts. Do not assume that everyone will do his or her duty, and plan for absence or response failure.
5. Rehearse Possible Scenarios
Develop written guidance for staff, members, and guests to guide their actions in the event of an emergency. Plan for multiple training events and sessions; let the market see how seriously you take your duty to look after their well-being.
6. Emergency Preparedness
Today’s roster of possible crises to impact your golf course includes (listed alphabetically) death, exceptional theft, fire, inflation (sustained or rampant), injury (personal) to golfers or employees, IT interruption and/ or hacking, power failure (abrupt and extended), road or traffic interrup- tions, supplier interruption, terrorism, vandalism (serious) and/or weather disasters.
For those golf course owners and operators who benefit from check- lists, the following are some of the components of a thorough emergency preparedness checklist:
• Assess the risk profile of your course.
• Develop and implement staff training programs.
• Create and distribute emergency preparedness information to your
members and customers.
• Evaluate business interruption insurance.
• Ask your insurance agent about financial support in the event of an
emergency.
• Plan a disaster recovery program for your course.
• Develop your emergency communications plan.
• Research and understand current government support programs.
Laurie Martin advises that golf course owners and operators should “create a Crisis Committee – call it “Command Post” – to enable staying connected (to stakeholders), receiving member calls, controlling rumours, and addressing employee concerns.”