A Practical Guide to Golf in Barbados During COVID-19

Golf during COVID-19

Presented by Roddy Carr, Golf Expert & Director of the Barbados Golf Club. In Association with Carr Golf, and in consultation with Barbados Golf Association, Governing bodies, medical experts and industry leaders.

Covid-19 Protocols for re-opening Golf in Barbados

Safe Workers – Safe Workplace – Safe Working – Safe Playing

 

Introduction

The Barbados Golf Club (BGC) is the only affordable public 18-hole golf course in Barbados. The majority of the 1,000 plus local golfers play regularly at BGC and the club runs the only structured junior golf development program on Island with over 60 juniors of all ages taking part.

BGC was the vision of Sir Harold St. John in 1999 as he recognized the need for a high yield tourist attraction to compliment South Coast hotels in addition to filling the void for locals when the Sandy Lane ‘Old’ course was reduced to 9-holes. The Government contributed 119 acres for an equity stake on the strict condition that the golf course must always be a ‘public’ golf course open to everyone. From when it opened 20 years ago, BGC adopted its slogan Golf for All and is now considered the Home of Golf in Barbados.

Each year over 6,000 tourist rounds including cruise passengers are played at the BGC in addition to 14,000 rounds by locals and many ‘snowbirds’ that make Barbados their home in winter. This represents a 50% occupancy rate of the golf course. Golf Tourism studies show that the ‘avid golf tourist’ spends four times more than the average tourist in the local economy from the key markets, USA, Canada and UK & Ireland. There are three other 18 hole world-class courses in Sandy Lane and Royal Westmoreland and 9 holes at Rockley.

 

Golf will be an important high yield tourist ‘attraction’ in the post COVID-19 world in Barbados.

 

Re-Opening the Sport of Golf

• SAFE PLAYING
  • Studies from around the world that include, Australia, New Zealand Sweden, Austria, Ireland, Canada and USA during and in the aftermath of COVID 19 demonstrate that the sport of golf, played individually and outdoors on fields of 115 plus acres of open space is ideal for implementing social distancing. Detailed protocols have been developed from this research and are being strictly enforced by clubs. This has enabled golf as a non-contact sport to be one of the first sports along with cycling, surfing & running & tennis to be allowed to re-open post COVID 19. The above-mentioned internationally accepted Protocols are outlined below:

A Practical Guide to Golf in Barbados during COVID-19

We believe allowing golfers to enjoy the game in a safe environment will provide the mental and physical health benefits to improve the well-being of over 1,000 active golfing enthusiasts in Barbados.

This practical guide, prepared by our team in consultation with industry and medical experts, outlines the robust, monitored measures we will be taking to help safeguard our staff, members & customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. For golfers, the measures cover each step of the journey from home to 1^st tee and back home again. At the golf courses, these measures are in place from dawn until dusk, seven days a week.

Our measures and procedures are under constant review, updated as advice from government, health authorities and governing bodies evolves in line with the gradual lifting of social restrictions.

 

1. Course access

In the initial period following a club’s re-opening, access to the course will be limited to our staff, club members and guests in restricted and controlled numbers.

To access the course, a player must:

• Be an active member, or an invited member guest or regular pay & play customer
• Not have been out of the country for over 14 days
• Not be in self-isolation and not required to cocoon
• Not be displaying COVID-19 symptoms
• Have a pre-reserved and/or prepaid tee time booked online

 

2. Booking and arrival

• Booking a tee time in advance is compulsory – via website, app, or phone
• When restrictions are eased, visitors will be encouraged to book and pre-pay online
• We require all players to provide a phone number and email address to enable contact tracing
• All golfers will be made aware of our measures prior to their visit
• Golf equipment should be washed before a player leaves home
• Golfers should travel to the club alone, or with a member of the same household
• Ample car parking spaces are available to ensure social distancing
• Arrival at the course no more than 20 minutes prior to reserved tee time
• Observe social distancing always and resist the temptation to mingle
• Locker rooms are closed except for toilet facilities. Lockers will be closed. Arrange golf attire and change footwear at the car
• Report straight to the Pro Shop entrance upon arrival to check-in

 

3. Check-in and Pro Shop protocol

• Mandatory check in through the Pro Shop to the Bag Drop for all golfers
• Two-metre queue markers at a single-entry point
• Only one person at a time permitted inside the Pro-Shop
• A two-metre exclusion zone at the service desk
• Staff will retrieve any items members require from their lockers and then lock it.
• Essential golfing items will be available to purchase, gathered by staff on request
• Food and beverage items limited to takeaway & pre-packed sandwiches, pizzas, bars, and drinks. Sterilised coolers will be provided for takeaway drinks
• Card payment only, no cash accepted at the till
• Scorecards only available for download from the club’s website
• Social golf only. There will be no competitive golf

 

4. Clubhouse facilities

• Clubhouse access is limited to the Pro Shop and toilets
• Toilets will have open entrance doors and are cleaned regularly
• Soap & Disposable paper towels will be provided
• Locker rooms (except for toilets), seated restaurant & bar service is closed. Takeaway service only. Orders taken by phone or online and prepaid.
• Sanitised trollies and buggies are available for hire, single person use for carts only unless from the same household.
• Players must provide their own golf clubs, rental sets will not be available
• Players to arrive in golf attire and change shoes at the car

 

5. To the first tee

• Groups restricted to 3-balls at 12-minute intervals, equating to 15 golfers per hour
• Putting green is open, limited to 3 players at a time, with holes filled in and tee pegs used as targets. Players practicing must observe physical distancing
• The driving range will cater for a maximum of 4 players at a time with double spacing of practice mats
• Juniors MUST be accompanied by an adult coach on the putting green or driving range. A maximum of two juniors with one coach is permissible practicing social distancing
• Players should arrive at the 1st tee no more than 5 minutes prior to the reserved tee time
• A ‘Social Distancing Marshall’ will patrol the car park, first tee and practice green to ensure player adherence to protocol and help avoid group gatherings
• Social spacing signage identifies the 1^st tee waiting areas
• Any player(s) not following directions will be asked to leave the course
• Tee off times strictly observed to ensure minimum 12-minute group spacing
• Divot bags removed from circulation

 

6. On the course

• Physical distancing observed throughout, particularly on tees and greens
• Social spacing signage identifies waiting areas on tee box approaches
• Rubbish bins and divot bins all removed
• Ball washers removed or covered over
• Players must bring their own water for the course
• Bunker rakes removed, players to smooth sand with feet prior to shot
• Par three holes are compulsory call up holes to avoid player congestion
• Flagsticks to remain in the hole and must not be touched
• Hole cups inverted for simple, contact-free ball retrieval
• Once a hole is completed, the group in front must have exited the tee box before players can progress to the next hole
• Do not double back to play again if a ball is lost, unplayable, or in a penalty area
• Equipment, food, and drink must not be exchanged between players
• Players must not pick up another player’s equipment or golf ball
• Players must refrain from handshakes and high fives at any time during the round
• All golfers must walk in from the course at 5.30 pm.

 

7. Getting home safely

• Post-round, players must return straight to their cars
• Restaurant and bars will remain closed except for takeaway or pickup pre-ordered
• Lockers cannot be accessed to store belongings
• Hands may be washed and sanitised in the toilets
• A staff member will be on-site until 6 pm ONLY
• Ensure clubs and equipment are cleaned thoroughly after use
• Players must call or email the golf club with any post-round health issues or COVID-19 related queries, at the earliest possible opportunity
• Each day there will be a designated COVID-19 Staff Officer responsible for managing such issues and queries
  

8. Ensuring the safety of our staff

Pro Shop Team

The front of house Pro Shop team manage all customer-facing aspects of the golf club. Our extensive measures ensure their safety, along with club members, guests, and visitors.

• One staff member present in the Pro Shop at any one time
• Staff provided with PPE, masks, and gloves, to wear on-site
• Staff comprehensively trained in importance of hand hygiene and cough etiquette
• Hand sanitiser and cleaning solutions provided at the service desk
• Staff to always remain at least two metres from customers
• Service desk protection screens have been installed
• All work areas and contact points are cleaned and sanitised regularly 

Back Office Team

Back office duties are undertaken by a team working remotely, off-premises. The team communicates via email and conference calls to complete tasks that include:

• Weekly member email updates
• Tee sheet management
• Member inquiry management
• Financial and operational planning
• Sales planning
• Data insights and reporting
• Marketing campaign planning and delivery
• Brand and PR management

 

SAFE WORKERS – SAFE WORKPLACE – SAFE WORKING

• • A separate set of protocols have been developed internationally for the maintenance and staffing of the golf course. These protocols are outlined below:

Maintenance Team

Green Keepers and their staff are isolated on the course for much of the time, with steps taken to minimise the risk of cross-contamination during their shift.

 

Summary:

• Staggered start and break times to avoid social gathering
• Morning briefings postponed, the Head Greenkeeper sends digital work lists to team members
• Hand sanitisers provided for regular use
• Disposable protective gloves are always worn
• Face masks used as required, particularly during course set up
• Utility vehicles limited to single person use
• Staff to avoid gathering in the machinery compound and canteen
• Machinery fully washed after use, including the disinfecting of controls

 

DETAILED PROTOCOLS & ACTIONS:

SAFE WORKERS

We will screen the workforce for those that fall into vulnerable groups and mandate they do not attend the workplace. This will be conducted by review of their employment record and by conducting a video conference health questionnaire. Vulnerable groups include:

• Over 65 Years of Age;
• Are Pregnant;
• Have a health condition that may increase the risk from Coronavirus (Covid-19); i.e. Lung Disease, asthma, serious heart conditions, persons who are immunocompromised, severely obese persons, persons with diabetes, persons with chronic kidney or liver disease.
  • Workers who are unwell with symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) are asked to not travel to or attend the workplace. Management to screen workers for Covid-19 symptoms, fever, or dry cough;
  • Non-site-based staff will be asked to continue to work from home;

 

SAFE WORKPLACE

Access & Egress

• Only authorized scheduled workers will be permitted to the maintenance building & golf course
• All employees will be screened on entry for symptoms of Covid-19; They will be temperature tested and will be visually and verbally screened for other symptoms.
• Start and finish times will be staggered by 15-minute intervals to reduce congestion and contact; Look at creating two teams working on separate days.
• Social distancing of a minimum 2m will be maintained in the maintenance building and on the golf course;
• Signage will be erected reminding workers not to attend if they have symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and to follow the official guidelines;
• The Fingerprint Clock Scanner will be disabled with times logged by management;
• Workers will be required to wash their hands using soap and water when entering and leaving the site;

 

Toilet Facilities

• Use of the toilet facilities will be restricted to one at a time at any one time and signage will be erected to ensure 2 metre social distancing is maintained when queuing;
• A welfare attendant will be responsible for ensuring and enforcing use of the toilet facilities and will be responsible for cleaning regimes for toilet facilities, particularly door handles, locks and the toilet flush which will be sanitised after each visit;
• Wash or sanitise hands before and after using the facilities;

 

Changing Area

• Use of the changing facilities will be restricted to one person at any one time and signage will be erected to ensure 2 metre social distancing is maintained between people when queuing;
• A welfare attendant will be responsible for ensuring and enforcing use of the changing facilities and will be responsible for enhanced cleaning regimes for changing facilities;
• Start and finish times will be staggered to reduce congestion and contact;

Lunch Area

• Workers will be mandated to bring their own food. They will also be required to stay on site once they have entered it and avoid using local shops or vendors;
• Break times will always be staggered at 30-minute intervals and groups of a maximum of 6 persons at a time to reduce congestion and contact;
• Drinking water will be provided with cleaning of the tap mechanism after every use;
• A welfare attendant will be responsible for enhanced cleaning regimes with frequent cleaning of the surfaces, appliances and tables will be cleaned between each use;
• Tables will be labelled with signage to ensure 2 metre social distancing is maintained between people when eating.

 

SAFE WORKING

• Management will remind the workforce at daily briefings of the specific control measures necessary to protect them, their colleagues, families, and the population;
• Workforce daily briefings will be held in the open air with groups of a maximum of six (6) attendees observing social distancing measures (2 metres);
• Tasks will be planned to enable 75% of tasks to be done by one person, and 25% of tasks to be done by maintaining social distancing measures (2 metres);
• Tasks will be planned to limit the number of workers to a maximum of two (2) workers on any one golf hole to spread the workforce across the golf course therefore in a larger area;
• Tasks will be planned to utilise mechanical equipment where possible and practicable; 75% of work tasks will be completed with mechanical equipment;
• The two mechanics will be allocated 2 of the 4 work bays with a minimum of 4m between work bays;
• Ventilation will be Increased in workshop space with all doors and windows remaining open
• Re-useable SAFE WORKING
• PPE face masks will be issued to employees and wearing strictly enforced;
• Re-usable PPE, i.e. chemical masks, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, will be thoroughly cleaned after use and not shared between workers;
• Single use PPE, i.e. dust masks, spray suits, will be disposed of so that it cannot be reused;
• Equipment operators will be allocated an item of equipment, equipment will not be shared by more than one operator;
• Equipment operators will be responsible for regularly cleaning the equipment using gloves and standard cleaning products, with particular emphasis on handles and other surfaces which may be touched; Equipment will be cleaned and sanitised at the start of the day, at break times and at the end of the day;
• Management will allocate a Covid-19 supervisor who is responsible for enforcing these guidelines; The designated COVID-19 supervisor shall always be present on the golf course during construction activities. The COVID19 supervisor will be selected from the on-site staff; If an employee fails to comply with the guidelines, they will be subject to disciplinary procedures up to and including expulsion from the site.

 

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