Hamilton courses filled this weekend with isolation-weary golfers

It has been said, that golf is a good walk spoiled.'

Try telling that to the dozens of people who filled local courses this weekend to swing the clubs in the sunshine and let a tiny bit of normalcy creep back into their lives.

As COVID-19 restrictions slowly ease, golf courses have been fortunate to be among the first businesses to open. Most private courses opened last week; in Hamilton, our civic courses, King's Forest and Chedoke opened last Wednesday and this weekend.

The response, according to Steve Sevor, Manager of Sports Services, City of Hamilton, has been positive. I think people are really respectful with the precautions we have taken," Sevor said. Everyone is doing their best to limit their exposure."

But golf in 2020 doesn't look like golf last year, or any other year.

At Chedoke, like many courses, cart use is limited to one golfer only. Ball washers and sand rakes have been removed. The clubhouse is closed, payment is by debit or credit, and Plexiglas screens help protect workers. Signs are posted throughout the course explaining the new ways of playing, including the ongoing need for physical distancing at all times, even within your foursome.

At Southern Pines Golf and Country Club, owner Doug Millar is also adapting. A glance at the greens reveal a length of pool noodle wrapped around each flag stick, to prevent the ball from entering the cup. Scorecards and pencils are unavailable. Golfers who arrive too early are asked to wait in their vehicles until 15 minutes before their tee time, or they can head to the driving range and hit a few balls that are cleaned and sanitized after each use.

Golfers themselves seem to have found no issues with the new rules.

Roosevelt Austin, out for his second time this season at Chedoke, was sporting a mask as he teed off. Austin said masks are mandatory at his work, and he has grown used to wearing one.

For Marc Farace, waiting to tee off with his buddies, the restrictions were a minor part of what was shaping up to be a great day. I'm just happy to be out," said Farace.