Golf courses around the region are seeing an influx of players due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As some businesses struggle to stay afloat, Golf Rockwood has seen its business skyrocket.
“We’re very busy,” said Jim Pearson, general manager of the Saint John golf course.
Pearson said with many sports sidelined due to the pandemic, casual golfers are hitting the links more often.
“We’ve really increased membership. As a matter of fact, we’ve had to cut off membership. We have a waiting list now. We cut it off to protect the members that are here and the playing time for them,” he said.
Golf Rockwood opened for the season on May 7, one day ahead of last year, and management has taken many steps to reduce the risk to employees and staff.
Pearson said they are limiting the number of people in their pro shop and adjusted tee times to reduce the number of people on the course.
But Pearson said one of the advantages to golf is that the sport lends itself to physical distancing.
“Sadly, no one hits it down the middle all the time,” he said with a laugh. “People are spread out around the fairways, around the greens,” he said.
Pearson said their driving range, which is into its third year of operation, is also seeing an uptick in visitors — many of whom are new to the sport.
Even with the new restrictions due to the pandemic, Pearson said most golfers do not seem to mind.
“Most of the golfers that we talk to, and certainly all of the members are just happy to be out golfing. They’re happy to follow the restrictions if it gets them out doing the sport they love,” he said.
If you were not able to get a membership, Pearson said they have daily tee times guaranteed for the general public.
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