Westchester To Open 2 More Golf Courses

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Two more county-owned golf courses will be opened this weekend in Westchester. County Executive George Latimer said Thursday, during his daily news conference, that the Dunwoodie and Sprain Lake course in Yonkers will open for play starting Saturday, May 2.

"We have determined that we can open two additional public golf courses," Latimer said. "These four courses have been opened in sequence to ensure that we have the right social distance protections, the right protections for our workers and the right opportunity for residents to enjoy recreation and exercise and not spread the virus."

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The county had previously reopened Mohansic in Yorktown Heights and Hudson Hills in Ossining April 25.

The courses will be operated under the following guidelines:

• Golfers are asked to check in early for tee times. A minimal number of guests are allowed in the pro shop at one time.
• Tee times have longer intervals between them and reduction of operating hours is being implemented.
• Flagsticks are to be left in the holes untouched and bunkers are not to be raked by golfers.
• Rakes, ball washers and coolers have been removed from the courses.
• Golf carts are washed and sanitized after each use.
• Golf carts: mandatory one person per cart. Two bags permitted per cart, with one person driving and the second person walking, alternating driving/walking. Pull carts are available; golfers who can are encouraged to walk.
• Golfers are instructed to not gather in groups or clusters while on or off the golf course.
• Restaurants at both courses are closed for both seated and takeout service.

As of Thursday, there have been 28,970 confirmed positive cases of the new coronavirus in the county. The active number of cases is now down to 7,142.

Latimer said the number of active cases is about 500 less than Wednesday and almost 1,000 less from two days ago.

"If those numbers continue that will mean a terrific response and a terrific reductions in the number of active cases," he said.

The county is still running more than two to one negative reactions to the test, Latimer said, adding that more than 70 percent of those tested are not confirmed to be positive.

"That is a good sign," he said.

If you consider the percentage of negative results, the reduction in the number of hospitalization being under 850 and the continued reduction in active cases, Latimer said those are all good statistics as it relates to the county flattening the curve.

Unfortunately, the number of deaths in the county is now 1,031, up 25 since Thursday.

Here is the map with the number of confirmed positive cases of the virus by municipality for Thursday.

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