Golfers Appealing to Governor to Keep Courses Open

CONNECTICUT — Several area golf courses are urging their members to appeal to Gov. Ned Lamont to allow clubs to remain open during the current coronavirus pandemic, and the Connecticut State Golf Association (CSGA) has drafted numerous guidelines to ensure additional safety for players and course personnel.

Raceway Golf Club in Thompson sent an email Saturday morning to its entire contact list, asking recipients to copy and paste a letter to be forwarded to Lamont. It outlines a number of positive aspects about allowing golf courses to continue operation despite not being deemed "essential." Lamont's latest executive order decreed all non-essential businesses to shut down indefinitely, beginning Monday at 8 p.m.

One of the 10 points made in Lamont's order reads, "Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people."

The text of the letter to be sent to the governor reads:

"Dear Gov. Lamont, Thank you for all you are doing to keep us safe during COVID19 pandemic. I believe golf courses should be permitted to stay open if we follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations of social distancing. Golf courses are an important outlet promoting good, healthy behavior for thousands of people and a great opportunity for outdoor recreation during these difficult times. Golf courses have taken steps to protect employees and golfers from coming into contact with each other. For example, they have removed rakes, ball washers, required that the flagstick not be touched, removed water coolers, required no more that one person per cart, and have people making tee times and paying online to minimize contact with course staff. Recently California, Oregon and Michigan among other states have made sure that golf courses could continue to be played during this crisis with certain safeguards in place."

Similarly, the CSGA has posted more than a dozen suggested adjustments for its member courses and players on its website. In addition to the restrictions noted in the above letter, the CSGA is recommending restricting pro shop traffic to one customer at a time, suspending guest play at private clubs, limiting driving range usage and raising cups two inches out of the hole so balls bounce off rather than dropping in.

Bill Kamerer, owner of Grassmere Country Club in Enfield, agreed implementation of the suggested adjustments would be beneficial to players, allowing them exercise and fresh air during a time when many people are confining themselves to their homes, while maintaining the "social distancing" policy established by the government.

In an email to its member clubs Monday morning, CSGA Executive Director Michael Moraghan wrote:

The situation continues to change. We are hearing now (9:56am Monday) that the State may allow courses to stay open. We are asking for it in writing. My recommendation at this point is to put on hold any plans for closing until we get this clarified directive.