May 1 Update – Golf in Nova Scotia is one step closer to opening

To All NSGA Members:

As the weather continues to improve and we see New Brunswick and PEI prepare to open their golf courses, we recognize the growing frustration of the golfing community here in Nova Scotia.

We have been working hard in cooperation with other key golf industry stakeholders to communicate that golf is well positioned to open safely. Our clubs, PGA Professionals, Superintendents, General Managers, owners and operators are all working collaboratively to ensure that we will be ready to open when the time comes.

This afternoon Dr. Strang announced a slow and steady reopening of outdoor activities, and golf is part of this plan. Effective today driving ranges will be open, however courses will remain closed. It is very encouraging that golf has taken the first step towards re-opening. Our course will open soon.

That said, we know that Nova Scotia’s battle against COVID-19 has resulted in greater a number of cases than other provinces. While our neighbouring provinces have successfully gone more than a week without any new cases, we continue to see our number of cases grow. Now is the time that we must continue to practice physical distancing and do our part to stop the spread. We are almost there and we need to be patient.

Now, if hitting the range isn’t enough, I bet you’re wondering: “may I drive cross provincial borders and play?” In short, the answer is NO. Strict travel restrictions between maritime provinces are still in place. Making personal and most business travel basically impossible, and at this time no date has been set for re-opening. If there is an off chance you may meet the restrictions of inter-provincial travel with the Health Measures Act still in place, you will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days once you return.

For more information on the resources used for this release, please see the links below:

Update on the Men’s Four Ball Championship

The 2020 is schedule for June 13-14 at the Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club. A final decision to host this championship on this date will be made on or before May 12, 2020.

NSGA Championship Registration – NOW OPEN

Registration for all NSGA Provincial Championships are now open!

We are very excited to have MCT Insurance a Division of Brokerlink as the Title Sponsor of the MCT Men’s Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championship. The MCT Men’s Amateur will be played at the Ken Wo Golf Club on July 3-5 and the MCT Men’s Mid-Amateur will be played at the Amherst Golf Club on July 17-19.

We would like to welcome TaylorMade as out new equipment supplier for the 2020 Championship Season. This year all competitors will receive a welcome gift from TaylorMade upon checking in before the first round at each event.

We would also like to thank Jaguar Land Rover Halifax for sponsoring a hole-in-one prize at each of our 2020 competitions. During Amateur events, participants will have a chance to win a new car, and during the Junior Championship, participants will have the chance to win a $50,000 education fund.

To register, please visit: http://nsga.ns.ca/competitions/

If you have any questions please contact Bryce at bryce@nsga.ns.ca.

Please note: We will be collecting competitors payment information at the time of registration, as per usual. All competitors will then be put into “eligibility pending,” until we are certain the championship is happening (4 weeks prior to event).

A notice to competitors will be circulated a minimum of 21-days prior to the event, on the status of the championship. Credit card payments will not be processed until the event is confirmed, and not until the 21-days prior.

NSGA Player Handicap Webinars

Every Tuesday evening for the month of May the NSGA will be hosting Player focused World Handicap System Webinars. If you are interested in attending one of these webinars, please contact Anne (anne@nsga.ns.ca), so we can forward you the link.

A copy of the Rules of Handicapping can be found online, or you may purchase a copy of the book through Golf Canada’s online store.
These webinars are open to anyone wishing to gain a better understanding the new World Handicap System. Please see the full webinar schedule below:
  • Tuesday, May 5 – 7pm-8pm
  • Tuesday, May 12 – 7pm-8pm
  • Tuesday, May 19 – 7pm-8pm
  • Tuesday, May 26 – 7pm-8pm

NSGA’s COVID-19 Resource Page

The NSGA is committed to fostering a safe sport environment. Through this difficult and unprecedented crisis, that commitment includes the health and well-being of golfers as well as every Nova Scotian in the communities where we live and play. Our thoughts are with those personally affected by the virus including their families, our most vulnerable citizens and the incredible health care workers who are facing the pandemic on the front lines.

Our industry is fortunate to have a wide-ranging support network of provincial, national and international partners bringing together their expertise to help us navigate through the uncertainty of COVID-19.

Collaboration and information sharing are critical during this challenging time and the NSGA has created the resource page below with helpful links to support our member clubs, golfers and our many industry partners coming together during this crisis. The resource page will be updated regularly as information and updates become available.

Please visit http://nsga.ns.ca/covid-19-resource-page/ for more information.

NSGA Virtual Coffee House

Continuing through May, the NSGA will be hosting a Virtual Coffee House on Wednesdays from 11am-12pm. It will be an open forum for members to ask questions on championships, handicapping, rules, or to just chat about golf with people who love the game. To join us in the Virtual Coffee Room, please click here on Wednesday’s at 11am. All are welcome.