Pennsylvania Golf courses opening

Written by Bob Oliver

Today Pennsylvania pro shops reacted to something they hadn't in more than a month --- their telephones were ringing at a brisk rate.

Governor Tom Wolf removed the restrictions on play, reducing the rules which had been in place for the last five weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To be clear, social distancing remains critical, and courses will be implementing policies that allow their courses to be open while enforcing various procedures.

Some of the restrictions could mean a longer distance between tee times, limits on players using golf carts, keeping flagsticks in the hole at all times and keeping gathering areas closed. 

Representatives of Bensalem, Northampton Valley and Neshaminy Valley said tee times are available for the weekend, but that all procedures are being reviewed for the reopening. To a person they said safe rather than sorry is the message.

THe Governor cited residents physical and mental health as being atop the reasons for reopening, along with the drop in COVID-19 cases in general. He had been giving through to reopening portions of the state but in the end went with the blanket removal of restrictions on certain industries.

"As we start to take measured, limited steps to reopen the Commonwealth, reopening some industries will help rebuild our economy and strengthen our mental health," explained the Governor.

The Center for DIsease Control reminds all that one should NOT play golf if your sick or recently were diagnosed with COVID-19.  It also recommended not to take part in organized events (e.g., leagues where multiple people would be on hand).   Social distancing remains critical.  But it did not recommend playing with a mask, although one could.

Still, with practicing in the basement may be nice for a while, playing the game is much better.

Swing away!

Covered bridge photos

By Steve Gordon

Covered bridge photos from a day defying the stay at home rules to just go out, be away from people and do some photography. Golf will come back around in some form eventually.

Pine Valley

Moods

Sheard's Mill

Perkasie

Social distancing and golf

By Steve Gordon

I last played golf on Monday, March 30th. I think that was the date but the days run together these days with the stay at home rules and self quarantine rules (and being retired). It seems like it was ages ago, but it was only 20 days.

You can only mow the lawn so much and do limited yard work and cleaning the house. I guess our homes should be immaculate and the lawn and garden weed free. A couple weeks ago I did tear my two car garage apart, cleaned out the loose impediments and actually tossed stuff in the trash. I did not just take stuff out and put it all back where it came from. I made that last several days and I felt good about it.

So, I played at Frog Hollow in Middletown, Delaware with my long time golf partner who lives in Northern Virginia. It was an easy drive down I-95 for me as well as for him coming from the other direction, especially with limited traffic. The weather was pretty nice and we liked the golf course and the two guys we were paired with (ironically from Pennsylvania) were fun and made it a nice day on the golf course.

They allowed two players in a cart unlike some places that limited one person to a cart or two bags but one players had to walk and not ride in the cart. For our day because of cart path only and a little extra exercise cart partners walked with a couple of clubs in hand while the other motored the cart down the blacktop. It was natural social distancing at it's best and certainly better than heading out in public to shop. It was even safer than multiple people walking trails in public parks.

I found this on Facebook and it is so appropriate.



After we finished we saw the owner in the pro shop and he informed us that while we were out the rules changed there and that they could only accept in state residents to play. I guess the individual courses were left to enforce this themselves, and I am sure they all did. I heard second hand that state troopers in Delaware were periodically checking for out of state cars in parking lots of places that were open. Scary when you think what could happen if they catch you on the highway.

A friend wrote about it on his web site.  http://www.golfbuckscounty.com/

Here is something I found on Facebook that depicts the issue fits a story of some guys from Massachusetts who got caught playing golf in Rhode Island that has the same rules as Delaware and penalties of up to $500 or 90 days in jail.



The bottom line is here in Pennsylvania and New Jersey where much of my golf is played, we won't be playing for a while longer. The Golf Association of Philadelphia, which has member clubs in the entire Delaware Valley area, is petitioning for reopening golf courses and have in place social distancing guidelines. It probably would include prepaid rounds online, no pro shop or food services but bathroom access. Also no touching flag poles and protections for reaching into the cup to retrieve a golf ball.

It's a waiting game, but while I'm waiting the Mad Golfer (an independent pro shop, mini golf and driving range near me) has the range open and set up to be totally self serve. Balls can be retrieved from the dispensers with a credit card and all the balls and baskets are sanitized before going back into service for customers. Parking spaces are separated as are some of the stalls. It's the only game in town, but on the plus side it is a perfect time to practice and keep the muscles loose.

Some local course operators have expressed hope to reopen on May 1st while others are thinking May 15th. The COVID-19 threat however doesn't work on a time table and no one knows. A knowledgeable source I know said he had heard June 1st.

It boggles the mind how being out in open air in small groups where social distancing on the course is almost a natural event isn't deemed safe.  At least that's how I am thinking.

Mad Golfer serviced golfers safely during course COVID-19 closures

By Steve Gordon


While Pennsylvania and New Jersey have just reopened golf courses from being shut down due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, there remains golf at the Mad Golfer on Street Road in Southampton, PA. Throughout all of this it has stayed open with very strict safe practices. No doubt golfers will be heading to the fairways of now open facilities, but the Mad Golfer holds steadfast for those who can't get tee times.

Golfers have been able to get buckets of balls using credit cards at the ball dispensing machines at the Mad Golfer. Actually this has been the only outlet for golfers in the area with the swing simulator facilities also shut down. Owner Kal Katz is doing everything possible to keep it safe and by it’s nature patrons are kept at bay to observe social distancing.

      1.      In the parking lot all parking stalls are staggered to separate cars parking next to each other. 

2.    The stalls for hitting are by design a safe distance but some are separated by empty stalls.

      3.    All the balls are collected and instead of just washing off with water they are being washed with a bleach/water mixture before put back into the ball distributing machines. Likewise all baskets are collected and also rinsed/sprayed with a bleach/water mixture before being returned to the front of the ball machines.

      4.     The ball machines work with credit cards so there is no contact between patrons and staff.

5.    Masks are required on the premises at all times.  

6. The pro shop is closed and off limits as is the mini golf.

7.     The Top Tracer technology will remain unavailable until it is deemed safe to reopen and staff the pro shop.

      The annual April demo day was cancelled but stay tuned to see if a demo day can be held at a later date June where manufacturer representatives will come to display the new equipment with demo clubs for players to put their hands on.

The bottom line is golfers can safely go and enjoy their passion and know that all precautions are being taken to keep them safe when they can't get to the golf course. This attention to detail and the needs of golfers is why the Mad Golfer remains on the list of top golf ranges in the country every year.

Golf takes a hit from COVID-19

 

Written by Bob Oliver

The embargo on golf by Governor Wolf in response to the COVID-19 situation has shuttered Keystone State courses for the last two weeks.

New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania as well as 17 other states have prohibited play at golf courses in their state according to the National Golf Foundation.  Some other states have partial restrictions, while 28 states allow golf to be played.  It's a very fluid situation, and changes are being made on a daily basis. 

Delaware has allowed its courses to remain open. The state open for play that is closest to Bucks County golfers, however, had a change this afternoon announced from the governor's office. Delaware courses will no longer be able to book tee times from non-Delaware residents. It is unclear how walk ups or those without "papers" will be handled. 

The NGF survey of more than 1000 member courses found that as of March 27, 2020, approximately 74 percent of the nation's golf courses remain open.  That's of little solace to Bucks County golfers who are hours away from places to play. 

The southern half of the United States allow play for the most part as even hard-hit COVID-19 states like Louisiana have not formally closed courses on a statewide basis. Many counties in Ohio continue to allow play. 

Having said that, golf courses in 87 percent of facilities have closed/restricted its inside dining room areas, and nearly 30% have closed access to clubhouse facilities. A quarter of those surveyed have closed or restricted access to pro shop.

The NGF survey found that 65 percent of club operators described the COVID-19 problem as having a significant effect or more on its operations. 

Surprisingly the winter months had been pointing to a superb resurgence in the game. Rounds played increased dramatically year-over-year in the months of January and February.  

Golfers who were considering purchase of new equipment have put such purchases on hold, according to the NGF survey as they monitor the virus. 

For Bucks County golfers, hunker down. There's no meaningful golf in the near future, but with some luck it won't be long before you'll be back on the course. In the meantime remember the social distancing recommendations from the government. Always practice good hygiene such as washing hands, refraining from touching face and disinfect items and surfaces as much as possible. 

Be safe, be careful and think about a future return to normalcy. 

CHIP SHOTS:  While Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued a "stay at home" order, he includes golf as an "Essential service" exemption. "We do not want people to feel trapped or isolated in their homes," explained the governor. The Cactus women's tour continues competition. This is the tour LPGA star Anna Nordqvist won on two weeks ago....Speaking off the record, a source close to the LPGA's ShopRite Classic says it is "highly doubtful" the 2020 event will be held. Time will tell. 

Footnote from Steve Gordon - The Mad Golfer driving range in Southampton is open with ball machines accepting credit cards while pro shop and mini golf is closed.