Jerry Lanfear, right, points down the fairway from a tee box at Timberview Golf Club as Pete Tassi watches. Golf courses opened late last week, then were closed by Ohio Governor by Mike DeWine on Friday. The Ohio Health Department reversed the order Sunday, reopening courses. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new meaning to daily life, especially in the sports community.
However, there is one sport that seems to be designed for a virus that requires social distancing.
Golf courses around Union County are in a rare position as the only “game in town.”
People can get out of the house to hit the links while keeping themselves at arm’s length from others.
Courses, though, like many things during this time haven’t opened the doors without a level of confusion.
Late last week, many golfers took to the courses to take advantage of the warmer temperatures.
That prompted Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to deem golf courses as non-essential businesses.
The Ohio Department of Health later reversed that decision, reopening golf courses last Sunday with a measure of safety.
“Everyone is talking about what is and isn’t essential,” said Justin Krock, head pro at The Ridge Golf and Gardens. “I believe we are essential for people’s mental and physical health. We are the only thing that is open for physical health. All the gyms are closed.”
Course officials around the county are handling social distancing at their own discretion by following the governor’s Stay at Home Order part 15.
However, all have done away with handling of all common course equipment, trap rakes, ball washers and cup pins.
Courses have also come up with ways to keep peoples’ hands out of cups in a desire to keep things as sterile as possible.
“We have inverted the cups,” said Bob Lewis, owner of Timberview Golf Club.
At The Ridge, Krock said they have installed pool noodles they cut and placed in the cups to keep peoples’ hands out of the course holes.
“You can reach down and pull out your ball with two fingers and not touch the cup at all,” Krock said.
Many of the courses around the county are also split on whether or not to allow carts.
Timberview is allowing carts, but with only one passenger.
The Ridge golfers are now allowed to walk or ride the course.
“We were waiting to get the right cleaning supplies and process to make sure we can disinfect carts the proper way,” said Krock.
The largest hurdle for golf courses has been tee times.
The Ohio Department of Health has said all courses must spread out tee times by 15 minutes to increase distance between golfers.
Krock has been taking phone calls and monitoring the course’s website to keep the schedules up to date.
“We want to get them on the course and away from the club house,” he said. “They check in at a window I slide open and then I send them on their way.”
Timberview golfers have been scheduling times over the phone.
With the new way of running the business, courses are also implementing new hours due to limited staffing.
“We only have me manning the phones and a greens keeper maintaining the course,” said Krock.
The new hours and 15-minute intervals on tee times have limited the number of golfers who can use courses during any given day.
Krock said The Ridge can only have 35 tee times of four golfers per day within its current hours.
The Ridge is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Many of the courses also have other avenues of income that have been shutdown or diminished in capacity.
Lewis said the restaurant at Timberview is doing carry-out only.
The Ridge has closed its restaurant, event center and indoor golfing facility due to the virus.
Krock, who gives lessons utilizing the indoor facility, said it is impossible to maintain social distancing and give instruction.
Courses are making all of their money on golf, but Krock believes they will be busy being the only sport available to the public once the weather warms.
“With the temperatures warming up this weekend, I think we will be packed,” he said.
Attempts to contact other golf courses in the county were unsuccessful.