AGA-BC Releases COVID-19 BMP’S for Golf Operations

WCTA staff and via AGA-BC website - April 21, 2020

The Allied Golf Association of BC (AGA-BC) has released a comprehensive set of COVID-19 ‘Best Management Practices’ covering three areas of golf facility operations, golf shop/clubhouse, food and beverage and course maintenance/turf care.

The group unifies multiple provincial golf industry sector organizations and is dedicated to providing one cohesive voice for the golf industry of British Columbia.  The announcement included the following statement(s):

“With over 300 golf courses in all areas of the province, it is critical that all golf operations in British Columbia immediately align with COVID-19 orders, direction and safety protocols mandated by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and regional health authorities.”

“Where governments have not mandated the temporary closure of golf courses, such as in BC, golf operators choosing to open must take every health and safety precaution for their team members and customers.”

Individual golf courses and associations have also produced BMP documents but according to WCTA Executive Director, Jerry Rousseau, who assisted Brett Finlayson, BCGSA representative to AGA-BC with the turf maintenance section, “We were directed to provide the most comprehensive and detailed resource possible in order to confidently support BC golf courses, whether they have decided to open or not, so they can adapt their services and workplace to the orders and recommendations of the PHO.”

AGA-BC is also advocating the essential need for golf course property maintenance during any interruption to play and supports the following statement from ‘We Are Golf’, the National Allied Golf Associations:

‘We Are Golf is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our members, golfers, staff, volunteers and industry stakeholders as well as every Canadian in the communities where we live, work and play.’

The 30 page document is posted on the AGA-BC website:
http://aga-bc.org/