Rossmere managing well through pandemic

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This article was published 17/08/2020 (2040 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While it’s been a tough year, general manager Scott Parker and the staff at Rossmere Golf & Country Club are doing everything they can to provide a great experience for its members.

Last winter was a busy one, with the club’s golf simulator attracting large crowds and even a couple of tournaments, Parker said.

Then as the COVID-19 pandemic began to loom in February, staff became nervous about what was to come. Weeks later those fears were realized when Rossmere had to close for two months.

“We didn’t open until May 4 and for us that’s quite a bit of business that we lost,” Parker said. “But for the safety of the staff and members it’s something we had to do.”

Parker said national organizations worked together to create a template to guide golf courses on how to safely reopen, with each club adapting it to their own situation. For Rossmere it meant fewer washrooms, no ball washers, benches or shower facilities.

It also means a huge revenue dent from lost tournaments and hall bookings, Parker said. Management has managed to push some tournaments into later in the season, but overall he estimates losses at 50 per cent.

Tournament play has resumed with a few changes, Parker said. The course can have unlimited players but gathering spots are limited to 100 people, including staff. Rossmere employs a two-shotgun start so fewer people are around before and after their rounds. Prior to tournament play each player receives lunch and a drink and there are two more food stations on the course. After the round the players gather in the outdoor food and beverage area, where they are served in their seats.

There have been some pleasant surprises, Parker said, including an influx of new players. Whereas in a normal year clubs run promotions to draw players, they didn’t have to this year.

“Golf was one of the first things that could open and that helped us tremendously,” Parker said. “The golf industry’s been on the decline for a few years and everyone in the industry’s been working really hard to promote the game and promote it to young people.

“Hopefully after this year ,when things settle down and get back to normal, we can retain the golfers we brought to the game this year.”

Rossmere has also hired more students than normal this season, Parker said, crediting federal subsidy programs. The extra help has allowed them to tackle a job jar full of tasks normally left uncompleted.

Will any of the changes Rossmere has implemented become permanent?

“I think the golf tournament stations where they get food and drink before they start, then they get two food stations on the course, and everything’s outside and a little more informal…I think that might stay around,” Parker said.

Parker is also taking a wait-and-see approach to his long-range planning.

“You can’t take it for granted that everything’s going to be back to normal next year,” he said.

Parker said overall, he’s happy with how things have turned out.

“There’s an adjustment period for (members) there’s been an adjustment period for staff but I think all in all it’s been a great year.”

Tony Zerucha
East Kildonan community correspondent

Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@gmail.com

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