The sporting world is currently shut down because of COVID-19. Whether leagues have postponed play or cancelled, there are no live sports to watch right now or play. That includes the PGA Tour who recently announced the Masters will be played in early November.
When it comes to local golf, many people are wondering about the status of the upcoming season and that's still up in the air as well.
Golf isn't an essential service and right now, all non-essential services have been ordered to stay closed until April 14. Fortunately, golf here in the Parkland is nearly still a month away from happening so things could change.
However, if it's announced that non-essential businesses must remain closed for a longer-term, that means golf courses will remain closed to the public as well.
Jared Ladobruk is the Executive Director of Golf Manitoba and he says it's really a wait and see type of thing.
"We're monitoring the situation and we plan on working with our clubs as we get closer to when we can hopefully start," he said. "Facilities have to abide by the rules that are currently put in place by the province."
So the harsh reality for golfers in the Parkland is golf won't be permitted until the health order that is currently in place is lifted. However, golf courses can continue to maintain their facilities so that they are ready for when the golf season does begin if it does.
"Golf courses can water their grounds, seed, and everything that is needed to keep it up," continued Ladobruk.
When it comes to sanctioned Golf Manitoba events, there is still quite sometime before the first one is set to take place.
The Match Play Qualifier is set to tee it up at the Winkler Golf Club on May 23 and 24. The Match Play Championship is set to begin the next weekend at the St. Charles Country Club. In the past, Parkland golfers have taken part in this event.
"It's still early to think about a postponement or cancellation situation," finished Ladobruk. "We're hoping it doesn't come to that, but we'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks and we'll make our decisions at that point."
