2021 CENTRAL OREGON GOLF PREVIEW • THE BULLETIN • SUNdAy, MAy 23, 2021 5
Ryan Brennecke/The Bulletin
A row of golf carts at Aspen Lakes Golf Course in Sisters.
Business
Continued from 4
“Traffic has been off the
charts busy,” said Kevin Story,
lead golf professional at Eagle
Crest Resort.
“We are looking forward to
another full and busy season.
Our top priority is to continue
providing a great golf experi-
ence while adjusting our safety
practices with current COVID
guidelines.”
The good news is that some
of last year’s more stringent
COVID-19 restrictions appear
to be more relaxed.
Double-occupancy carts are
now allowed at most facilities,
including Aspen Lakes. “We
continue to allow dual riders in
carts as long as they live in the
“Joining Broken Top was a great decision. Having a community to share outdoor
recreation with in a time of uncertainty has been a welcomed reprieve.
The only challenge has been finding a tee time because the course is so busy.”
— Jason Scarlett, a new Broken Top Club member in 2020
same household,” said Howie
Pruitt, director of golf opera-
tions.
At Widgi Creek Golf Club
in Bend, there appear to be
glimpses of a return to golf nor-
malcy as well.
“We want our players and
customers to feel safe, first
and foremost,” said Taylor Gi-
acomini, head professional at
Widgi Creek. “With that said,
we continue to adhere to CDC
guidelines and are now allowing
players to remove flags when
putting if they choose. As far as
business goes, we are picking up
right where we left off last year,
which is great.”
With such a marked increase
in business, Central Oregon golf
courses have readily adapted
their policies and procedures
to safely handle increased de-
mand.
“Preparation is key,” said
Zach Swoffer, Brasada Ranch’s
director of club operations.
“From a golf standpoint, we
continue to use electrostatic
sprayer whenever a cart is used.
We’re also installing plastic di-
viders in carts to maximize
player efficiency on the course,
while also maintaining social
distancing practices on our
practice facilities and tee boxes.”
At Meadow Lakes Golf
Course in Prineville, safety con-
tinues to remain a top prior-
ity while restrictions are being
carefully lifted.
“The CDC has communi-
cated that touch points aren’t
spreading the virus as much
as they initially thought,” said
Zach Lampert, facility man-
ager at Meadow Lakes. “To that
end, we’re leaving foam inside
the cup, but are allowing play-
ers to remove the flag if they
want. We’ve also put rakes back
in bunkers and encourage ev-
eryone to enjoy their time here
as safely as possible. Masks are
still required in the pro shop
and our staff is up-to-date on
best safety practices and proce-
dures.”
A quick look at any of Cen-
tral Oregon’s golf courses tells a
similar story: golf is once again
booming. Like no other time in
recent memory, Central Ore-
gonians are turning to the turf
for a breath of fresh air, exercise,
and interaction with each other
in a common pursuit.
While everyone is anxiously
awaiting a return to life as we
knew it not long ago, it’s nice
knowing that peace of mind can
safely be found strolling down
the fairway.