The Bridges at Claresholm Golf Club will not be opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, but preparations are still under way to ensure the course will be ready when it does open.
“We are working on getting the course prepared,” said Lyle Broderson, golf pro/manager. “You still have to maintain it.”
On April 9, Dr. Deena Henshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, announced in her daily briefing that golf courses were deemed non-essential and would not be allowed to open.
However, she was clear that staff at golf courses were allowed to work on the grounds.
The pro shop, as a retail outlet, is closed but the restaurant is open for pick-up and delivery.
The grounds themselves are also closed to public access.
Broderson said the announcement brought clarity to a gray area, because some courses were opening while others were not.
“We understand it is a pretty serious situation,” he said.
Even when the province does give the go-ahead to open the course for the golf season, additional measures will be put in place to ensure public health.
“The hope is the government will ease up restrictions and we’ll be able to open,” Broderson said.
Claresholm town council had also been set to discuss whether to allow the Bridges at Claresholm Golf Club to open, but the province ended that discussion by announcing golf courses were not essential services therefore would not be allowed to open amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The item was on the agenda of council’s April 14 meeting via video conference, but Mayor Doug MacPherson said discussion became redundant when the province closed golf courses.
Marian Carlson, the town’s chief administrative officer, explained the town was working with the golf club on signage and other measures.
One concern raised was that people will start using the golf course as an off-leash dog park.
“You are going to put ‘no trespassing’ to public land?” the mayor asked, adding he sees a lot of people going for walks at the golf course.
Carlson said not having dogs is the concern.
Later in the week the golf club announced in its newsletter that all public was not allowed on the golf course. Even walking on the course at this time is not permitted.
The authority came from an order from the provincial medical officer of health to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

UPDATE – April 28, 2020

Due to COVID-19, the Bridges at Claresholm Golf Club is closed.
• Walking on the course is permitted.
• No dogs allowed.• Keep to the perimeter as crews are out working.
• Keep off greens and tee boxes. • Respect the terrain. • Do not litter.
• Stay off private property. • No restroom facilities available.
• No golf carts allowed at this time.