Amidst restrictions to church gatherings, indoor fitness and restaurant dining one pastime remains popular and it’s also Dr. Bonnie Henry approved — golf.
For Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam golf courses, which re-opened with COVID-19 protocols last spring, there hasn’t been much down time on the greens as duffers and handicappers have been flocking to driving ranges, putting greens and fairways for fresh air and exercise.
And that’s good news for the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce 2021 Golf Classic, set for Thursday, July 15 at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club.
Michael Hind, chamber CEO, believes he’ll have no trouble filling the approximaely 150 spots for the annual fundraising event for the local business advocacy group.
“People want to get out, they want to golf,” said Hind, “and we’ll take our cue from Dr. Bonnie Henry.”
Typically, the golf classic is a time to network, but opportunities for mingling will be limited and will depend on what’s allowed in mid-July.
Most people should have at least one dose of their vaccine by then, but Hind doesn’t plan a huge indoor banquet after golf games are over.
Instead, players will enjoy an outdoor meal on the patio when they finish their game.
Registration includes an 18-hole scramble, a golf cart, food on the course, and a post-event lunch or dinner with physical distancing enforced.
Masks will be required indoors, there will be a maximum of one to two people per golf cart, and tournament winners and prizes will be announced the following day.
Still, with all those restrictions, Hind expects people to join in the fun because it’s nice to get out and it seems people just can’t get enough of chasing a little ball around with a stick.
“Golf is a sport that people can do safely,” he said, noting that a separate event called the Golf Tour 2021 has been popular for chamber members.
In this event, participants play a different course each month from March to October, including the Chamber Golf Classic on July 15th at Westwood Plateau, and Hind said about 25 people have joined in so far.
Tour stops include Ledgeview, Sandpiper, Chateau Whistler, Redwoods, Swaneset and more.
