Massachusetts golf courses are back in business.
Gov. Charlie Baker’s office confirmed on Thursday morning that golf courses throughout the Commonwealth were permitted to reopen, effective immediately, after being shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Courses are still not considered essential businesses and cannot have employees working on-premise. Essential services, such as groundskeeping “to avoid hazardous conditions and security, provided by employees, contractors, or vendors are permitted,” according to the government’s website.
Massachusetts was the last state in the U.S. to announce it was reopening its golf courses. Forty-seven of the 50 states had reopened for play already, while the Bay State joined Vermont and Maryland in reopening courses on Thursday. Vermont and Maryland had announced on Wednesday that they would be reopening.
Franklin County courses were already busy on Thursday afternoon. Northfield Golf Club manager Shelby Snow Hasanbasic said she went over to open up shop upon hearing the news Thursday, and said golfers were out on the course not long after.
“The course is ready and it’s exciting to get going, get people out there playing,” Snow Hasanbasic said. “We’ve gotten a lot of phone calls for tee times (Friday) already. People want to start playing again.”
Country Club of Greenfield Head Professional Kevin Piecuch said he started getting calls and text messages around 6 a.m. on Thursday from members, and once official word came down just before 10 a.m., he headed to the course to get to work.
“We put the flags in, set everything up and got people out and playing again,” Piecuch said.
CCG will start opening some tee times for guest play on Friday, and Piecuch said that all non-members should call before coming to the course.
“It’s a strange time we’re in but the golf business is willing to adapt,” explained Piecuch, who said he hopes the next step will be allowing the use of golf carts. The club has a brand new fleet of carts ready to go when allowed.
Piecuch also lauded the work of CCG Superintendent Chris Reid and his staff, saying the course is in excellent shape for the start of a new season.
“We were able to aerify the course about three weeks ago which we don’t normally do this time of year,” Piecuch said. “The course is really coming around.”
Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club in Turners Falls also opened for play on Thursday, and the course will offer tee times beginning Friday. Thomas opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends.
“We’re happy to be open,” offered Club President Chet Czernich, who said Thomas actually had a board meeting scheduled for Thursday before the announcement came down. “As soon as this happened, phones starting ringing off the hook.”
Ellinwood Country Club in Athol was also busy on Thursday, and general manager Vicki Johnson said about 25-30 people were already out on the course in the afternoon. The course opened for members only on Thursday, but the public is welcome to start playing beginning Friday. Tee times are required, and are expected to be taken over the phone for the time being.
“Everyone’s so excited to get out and play,” Johnson said.
Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston posted on its Facebook page Thursday that it would be letting golfers know its plan to open shortly. “It’s a start friends,” the message read. “Stay tuned for the next update and when play will resume at The Fox.”
According to the state’s guidelines, “Private operators of golf courses may permit individuals access to the property so long as there are no gatherings of any kind, appropriate social distancing of six feet between individuals is strictly followed, and the business operator and golfers abide by the specific guidelines for golf courses outlined below.”
The announcement comes after two golf courses in central Mass. had announced plans to defy Baker’s stay-at-home order and open for play. Cara Cullen, who owns Kettle Brook Golf Club in Paxton and Wachusett Country Club in Boylston, told Fox News on Monday that her courses would open.
The specific guidelines for golf courses are:
– Security personnel can be delineated by each club (ex. a pro and the head starter) and will be present to enforce social distancing. There can be no other employees working at the recreational component of the golf operation.
– All staff must wear face coverings while on the property.
– Club facilities including but not limited to the club house, pro shop, restaurant, bag room and locker room must remain closed.
– No caddies allowed
– No golf carts allowed
– Push carts may be used. Players must either carry their own bag or use a push cart.
– All golfers must maintain proper social distancing of at least six feet at all times.
– Groups of players are restricted to no more than 4 players at one time.
– Members-only clubs can allow guests as determined by the security personnel on the golf course
– Private clubs that allow non-members to make reservations can do so at their discretion.
– Maintenance personnel are permitted to work on the golf course.
– Tee Time Policy must be 15 minutes between groups.
– Golfers must stay in their car until 15 minutes before their tee time and must return to their car immediately following play.
– Online and remote payment options must be utilized.
– All golfers must use their own golf clubs. Sharing golf clubs or rental golf clubs is not allowed.
– Flag sticks must remain in the hole. Hole liners must be raised so picking a ball out of the hole doesn’t occur.
– Bunker rakes must be removed, and ball washers must be removed or covered.
– Practice putting green, driving range, and chipping areas must be closed.
– Facilities must have readily accessible hand sanitizer.