Posted on

TRENDS for 2022: Why you should be planning ahead.

At BCgolfguide, we are busy during the off-season in Canada reviewing 2021 while preparing for 2022.

So much has happened during the past two years, with the pandemic and some significant weather events. These circumstances combined to impact the golf travel industry in several ways.

Moving forward, here are a few considerations for you and your group.

How will 2022 be different? The industry expects heightened competition for accommodation and tee times, banking on a less restrictive travel environment. With the steady flow of tourist traffic limited at times in 2020 and 2021, many facilities were left to rely primarily on local play. In some regions, this resulted in plenty of unused tee times. Golf courses are optimistic that tourists are looking forward to golf travel opportunities throughout 2022.

The devilish par-3, 14th at the Shannon Lake Golf Club in West Kelowna.

Increased Travel Activity: Canadian travelers are pent up, at least that’s the feedback we are hearing from our repeat clients. Restrictions on recreational travel imposed by federal and provincial governments forced many postponements and cancellations. Having spent much of the past two years in kind of a “holding pattern” due to the pandemic, golfers are telling us they are excited to revisit some of their favourite regions again. Continue reading “TRENDS for 2022: Why you should be planning ahead.”

Posted on

Greens Aeration: Caveat Emptor?

Is there anything more maddening for golfers than arriving at a course with  your group and finding out on the first hole that the greens have recently been aerated?

Seasoned golfers know full well that aeration is crucial for the long-term health of the turf we walk and play on. Once in the spring and once in the fall – that tends to be the routine many golfers across Canada are used to observing.

But greens aeration certainly affects one’s golf experience, doesn’t it?

The large cores pulled from beneath the surface, combined with heavy sanding to fill the holes, can make for a very negative golf experience.

Given my personal experience in golf course operations, there is one caveat.

That is, I am generally unsympathetic when a Member who plays 150-200 rounds a year at a golf course chooses to complain loudly about how greens aeration created inconvenience for them. At some point, I believe that individual’s critical eye might be better served by a blindfold.

However, what I do find bothersome about the impact of this critical  turf maintenance is the failure of many facilities to provide visiting golfers with advance notice.

Continue reading “Greens Aeration: Caveat Emptor?”

Posted on

B.C. Government launches “Proof of Vaccination”

August 31, 2021

To Our Valued BCgolfguide Clients:

As you should be well aware of by now, the current British Columbia government  has launched a vaccine passport mandate, effective September 13, 2021. This potentially impacts your upcoming golf trip.

At BCgolfguide, we must be proactive regarding this “proof of vaccination” development to avoid last minute changes to your booking.

It is the position of BCgolfguide that we will assume each person traveling to a golf trip destination hotel and/or golf course in British Columbia has done their own due diligence prior to arrival.

To assist you with this, each member of your group can read through the information below. We strongly encourage each individual in your group to protect their interests by being fully aware and informed about all requirements.

Details are available here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/proof#required

Regardless of one’s individual opinion or viewpoint, this is the direction provided by the current British Columbia government.

“What if I’m visiting from outside B.C.?”
People visiting from outside of B.C. are also required to show proof of vaccination.

At BCgolfguide, we have a duty to assist our clients in an effort to create awareness. Failure by any individual to comply with the policies put forth by the current British Columbia government may result in forfeiture of all fees paid.

IMPORTANT: For groups traveling into B.C. regions during the remainder of 2021, please note that if your group size changes, there will likely be some impact on pricing for the remaining participants. BCgolfguide requires notice from you a minimum of ten (10) days prior to your arrival date to complete these adjustments. This lead-time is also beneficial for our hotel and golf course partners, so they can re-sell rooms and tee times. Cancellations and/or refunds will be coordinated in accordance with our Golf Travel Terms & Conditions.

Thank you.

Ross / Danny / Glen / Jane
The Team at BCgolfguide.com
PH: 1.877.223.7226…toll-free

LINK:  B.C. Government Press Release – August 23, 2021