Eclipse Alters Few Golf Course Plans in the Area

In anticipation of Monday afternoon's pending solar eclipse, officials at some golf courses in north-central Connecticut were advising players to follow safety protocol outlined by most experts and weather forecasters over the past several days.

According to NASA, "the only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight."

Anyone with eclipse glasses or viewers that are compliant with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard may look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through them for any length of time, NASA said.

"We got out ahead of this and are distributing the ISO certified glasses to our players today!" said Steve Madison, head pro at the Golf Club of Avon, where a charity outing is scheduled Monday.

Paul Banks, owner of Copper Hill Golf Club in East Granby, said, "It's all systems go. Hopefully people will be responsible enough to take precautions if they are outside."

Similarly, Bob Kemp of Airways Golf Course in West Suffield said, "We plan to keep the course open. Use sunscreen and do not look at the sun. I will be playing myself."

"We are still open today with no plan to close," said Marc Bayram of Timberlin Golf Club in Berlin.

Representatives at Grassmere Country Club in Enfield and Topstone Golf Course in South Windsor both reported no known cancellations for the afternoon based on the eclipse. Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury is having its greens aerated today, therefore the course was scheduled to be closed anyway.

Photo credits: Golf Club of Avon, Tim Jensen