State health department reverses ruling, allows golf courses to remain open

The clubs can go back into the trunk. Ohio golfers got the reprieve they wanted. The Ohio Department of Health changed its decision over the weekend and will allow golf courses to stay open as long as they institute increased safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic. It's a complete reversal from a ruling Friday night that golf courses weren't essential businesses and therefore not exempt from Gov. Mike DeWine's stay-at-home order. The state health department communications office included the "golfing clarification" in an email sent Saturday night to county health departments. "We know that many of you have been receiving questions about the question of golfing and golf clubs," the email read. "Below is a statement you may use when responding to golf course inquiries. "If your golf course is operating as an outdoor recreation opportunity and abiding by all of the order's social distancing requirements, there is likely not a health concern. However, if the golf course is operating other businesses as part of the operations (restaurants, clubhouse, spa, driving range, putting and practice greens, etc), then you should be prepared to explain why you deem those business operations essential. "Remember, if you are running an essential business, you have a responsibility to make sure that physical distancing and other protective measures are being adhered to." Lorain County Health Commissioner David Covell received the email from the state and began to inform area courses Sunday morning. "Last week local health departments around the state had engaged the Ohio Department of Health to determine whether golf courses can stay open during this time as source of outside recreation," he wrote in an email to courses. "As of close of business Friday there was no ruling so LCPH decided to allow golf course to remain open as long as they could provide the appropriate social distancing. Walkers or 1 person per cart, takeout food only and a plan to keep people 6 ft apart. "Late Friday evening we received guidance from the state that golf courses do not fit into the definition of an essential business so they must close. We began to relay that message on Saturday but then Saturday evening the state clarified that those courses that can meet the guidance of social distancing can remain open. We apologize for the confusion but as you can imagine the state is dealing with many complex issues at the moment." Not all courses are open at this time of the year, and even some that normally would be have elected to close during this unique time. Pheasant Run Golf Course in LaGrange delayed its opening from Wednesday until May. The courses that stayed open last week during the uncertainty following the stay-at-home order instituted new policies to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Carts were to be limited to one person, the cups were raised or filled with foam to eliminate the need to reach into the hole, bunker rakes and ball washers were removed or off-limits and tee times were spread out. Sanitation efforts were also increased. Carts were disinfected before and after each use, along with high-touch areas around the facility. And the number of customers inside the clubhouse was limited to two or four. Mallard Creek Golf Club in Columbia Station also allowed golfers to pay online, eliminating the need to enter the clubhouse. Mallard Creek was packed Thursday and busy again Friday before the rain came over the weekend and the state issued the shutdown order it later reversed. "We're happy the state decided to reverse their decision," assistant director of golf Sean Moennich texted Sunday. "We've talked to the Lorain County Board of Health this morning and they are impressed with the measures we have taken to make golf safe for our customers and employees. "We are excited to get back open for business and ask all of our customers to assist in the social distancing guidelines we have set forth. We're all in this together to keep golf alive and give us a safe outlet during these difficult times." Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @scottpetrak on Twitter.