Teeing Up for the Summer Season
Everybody in the family is ready for an outing and Airway Meadows Golf Club in Gansevoort is teed up to serve them.
“Our conditions are outstanding this year. There was not too much rain in the spring, the greens look wonderful, and the fairways are really outstanding,” said Joan Heber, Airway Meadows Vice President and Manager.
The 18-hole championship course is just 15 minutes from Saratoga Springs in a unique setting that offers views of their black angus beef farm, a plane runway, and quaint covered bridges.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE
To ensure your family has a worry-free day out, special social distancing and cleanliness safety precautions have been put in place this year.
The primary focus of these changes has been to limit contact with others and with the course’s shared equipment.
NO CONTACT
The club’s tavern is closed, but food and beverages are still being served to-go and most of their regular menu choices are available.
Touching the flagstick is not permitted, and there are no ball washers or rakes allowed. The holes were temporarily filled with a raised cup but now have a filler cup so the ball still partially rolls in for a more satisfying experience.
“People don’t seem to mind the changes. They’re happy with what we have and they understand why we’re doing it,” said Heber.
Professionals disinfected all Airway Meadows carts with Bioprotect, a biodegradable antimicrobial cleaner that provides 90 days of consistent protection against germs, including the Coronavirus.
After each use, the carts are also washed and disinfected, ensuring they are sanitized and ready for the next golfers.
NO CLUSTERING
While golf is inherently a no-contact sport, Airway Meadows enforces social distancing guidelines further by maintaining a one person per cart rule, informing patrons that groups must be limited to 10 people or less (until national restrictions indicate otherwise), and manning a starter at the first tee to provide information to players and answer any questions.
NO TOURNAMENTS (FOR NOW)
While Heber is hopeful that groups of up to 50 people will be permitted by mid-summer, almost all of the tournaments that had been scheduled for June have been cancelled. Some groups have rescheduled for later in the season and some have moved their events to the spring and summer of 2021.
When tournaments begin again, shotgun starts will be replaced with consecutive tee times. Players are asked not to arrive more than 15 minutes before their tee time.
NO WALK-INS
Already a rarity, Airway Meadows is no longer allowing walk-ins. Golfers are asked to book tee times online or over the phone. The Pro Shop is open, but times, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, are filling up fast.
“You sure want to save a time so you have that spot. It seems like we’re busier this year because there’s not much else kids and parents can do together. We’re seeing higher numbers this year. Plus, playing and walking around here, it’s good exercise,” said Heber.
For more information, go to www.airwaymeadowsgolf.com