Summer 2008

 

The 19th Hole

Recently, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit partnered with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to host a full day workshop on the importance of alcohol policies for the golf course industry. Like a bar or restaurant, a golf course must follow the Liquor License Act to ensure the safe and responsible serving of alcohol … and like a bar or restaurant, failure to do so can result in a lawsuit resulting in fines, closures, and loss of business.

In Ontario, it is illegal to bring alcohol onto a golf course, however alcohol can be consumed in moderation if served from the establishment itself. For such reasons, golf courses must be diligent in ensuring alcohol is neither brought onto the course illegally, nor consumed in excess. Other common infractions golf courses need to avoid include:

• Permitting drunkenness, serving to intoxication, and/or serving those who appear intoxicated;
• Permitting riotous, quarrelsome, violent or disorderly conduct adjacent to/in vicinity of premises;
• Serving to underage persons;
• Serving illegal alcohol;
• Serving outside legal hours of operation;
• Permitting narcotics on premises;
• Overcrowding.

(Source: L. Grand presentation, CAMH, March 2008)

A strong and proven way to avoid and/or address alcohol problems at licensed establishments include developing, implementing, advertising, and enforcing alcohol policies both for staff and customers.

A policy for staff would include procedures to follow in the event that staff experience an issue with an intoxicated patron. Such procedures would include how to refuse the service of alcohol or how to safely and calmly remove the patron from the premises with adequate follow-up measures to ensure the patron remains safe until sober.

“Understanding and complying with the Liqour Licence Act and implementing house policies concerning service of beverage alcohol just makes good business sense”, states Harry Quirt, Inspector in the Liquor Enforcement Branch of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and co-presenter at the Simcoe Muskoka workshop.

“Compliance will help reduce liability from incidents where alcohol is involved and help protect your patrons, staff and assets. It serves you and your community well”, concludes Mr. Quirt.

Policies for customers would cover similar topics including recommendations to avoid becoming intoxicated or how to arrange a safe way home. Other points to address in such policies include information around:

• Monitoring of the Entrance and Exits
• Available Food and Alternative Non-Alcoholic Beverages
• Staff Training (Safer Bars, Smart Serve)
• Safe Transportation
• Environmental / Social Factors
• Underage Customers
• Customer’s Alcohol Use
• Managing the Intoxicated
• Expectant Mothers

To ensure golf course abide by the terms of their liquor license, Smart Serve Ontario has outlined some valuable guidelines to follow [PDF]:

• Purchase liquor at government outlets.
• Do not offer liquor to guests as a prize in a contest.
• As a licence holder with a golf course endorsement, do not contract out the sale and service of alcohol to any third party.
• Golf course vending carts must offer non-alcoholic drinks in addition to alcohol.
• Golf course vending carts must be operated by a golf club employee who is at least 18 years of age, and who has completed the Smart Serve training course.
• Golf course Marshals should also have completed the Smart Serve program.

 

Tips for a Safe Summer

The Durham Region Health Department recommends safety tips [PDF] regarding alcohol in the summer months.  Some of these safety tips include:

1. Don't rock the boat - Canoes and small boats tip easily. Alcohol added to the mix impairs your balance.

2. Ride with someone who has not been drinking - Have a plan - decide how you will get home before you leave. Alcohol impairs judgment and affects coordination.

3. Stay afloat! Booze doesn't belong on the boat - It's your responsibility to know the rules for boating safety. Contact the Canadian Coast Guard Boating Safety Information Service at 1-800-267-6687.

4. Remember, fishermen are boaters, too - Don't drink and fish - alcohol is linked to most boating and fishing fatalities.

5. Avoid heat stroke - In the hot weather, drink lots of fluids and avoid alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates you and increases your risk of heat stroke.

6. Mixing alcohol and waterskiing or windsurfing can be a real drowner - Alcohol slows down the reflexes and coordination that you need to safely catch the wave.

7. Don't swim when you have been drinking - Alcohol affects your swallowing and breathing reflexes making you more likely to drown.

8. Never mix drinking with operation of a vehicle.

The Alcohol Policy Network wishes you a safe and enjoyable summer season!