Courses opening despite state mandates

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Was going to post this in the COVID-19 but that is locked and nothing else really seemed to apply. Anyway as many of you are aware of what states are still closed, MA being one of them wanted to see how you felt about what 2 courses in MA just did.

-2 courses (Wachusett CC and Kettlebrook) which are sister courses, the owner came out yesterday and said if they dont open they will basically go out of business so they are opening regardless of what the state puts out.

Has anyone else had this happen in their state? What do you think about this?

I personally thing its great, open up if you can...its time. These are unprecedented times and I think it really should be up to courses to decide as long as there are safe practices in place

Below which I am sure most of you have seen (little out of date because NH is open and I believe WA is as well). Tough being 1 of 3 states not golfing lol. I think all these other states have shown that golf is fine to open up.

[DaveP043]

9 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

Was going to post this in the COVID-19 but that is locked and nothing else really seemed to apply. Anyway as many of you are aware of what states are still closed, MA being one of them wanted to see how you felt about what 2 courses in MA just did.

-2 courses (Wachusett CC and Kettlebrook) which are sister courses, the owner came out yesterday and said if they dont open they will basically go out of business so they are opening regardless of what the state puts out.

Has anyone else had this happen in their state? What do you think about this?

I personally thing its great, open up if you can...its time. These are unprecedented times and I think it really should be up to courses to decide as long as there are safe practices in place

I don't know what type of enforcement MA has, but it seems to me that defying the orders could result in a business licence suspension or revocation, which could ensure their demise.  I can sympathize with the financial straits many businesses are in, and I think that golf can be played reasonably safely, but I'm not sure that disobedience is the right way to go right now.  Its tough choices for golf courses, and barber shops, and restaurants, and many many other businesses.

[PlaidJacket]

It's funny that California is colored Yellow. LOL

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

13 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I don't know what type of enforcement MA has, but it seems to me that defying the orders could result in a business licence suspension or revocation, which could ensure their demise.  I can sympathize with the financial straits many businesses are in, and I think that golf can be played reasonably safely, but I'm not sure that disobedience is the right way to go right now.  Its tough choices for golf courses, and barber shops, and restaurants, and many many other businesses.

Great thought process Dave. It’s so hard because of this double edged sword. Agreed it’s not just courses under these issues but with a business that relies so heavily on season it makes it difficult. I really feel like the state is dragging their feet in this because there are so many other examples of states being successful. Even though our country is so great because of the ability for states to decide on their own rules and regulations this one is leaving a sour taste in my mouth

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

1 minute ago, PlaidJacket said:

It's funny that California is colored Yellow. LOL

Cali is portions right I believe some areas are open some are not? CA is special lived there during my time in the military....outside of the box state

[RickyBobby_PR]

Based on some stuff I’ve seen the owner is going to face fine and jail time and possibly lose their license at least on a temporary basis.

My take is that golf courses shouldn’t be shut down and many areas have been successful in flattening the curve with them open. There are guidelines for every type of business and that’s what should determine if they can be open. Won’t go any further as the rest of my thoughts are/will be deemed political so I’ll keep the rest to myself 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

5 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Based on some stuff I’ve seen the owner is going to face fine and jail time and possibly lose their license at least on a temporary basis.

My take is that golf courses shouldn’t be shut down and many areas have been successful in flattening the curve with them open. There are guidelines for every type of business and that’s what should determine if they can be open. Won’t go any further as the rest of my thoughts are/will be deemed political so I’ll keep the rest to myself 

It’s tough because other businesses are allowed to be open. Restaurants can do pickup. Barber shops can go to your house and do a home visit with no one knowing yet golf courses and I am sure other businesses are getting killed. You can’t amazon deliver a golf course to someone’s house lol. Tough situation multiple moving parts I’m just still very surprised with some things

[RickyBobby_PR]

21 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

It’s tough because other businesses are allowed to be open. Restaurants can do pickup. Barber shops can go to your house and do a home visit with no one knowing yet golf courses and I am sure other businesses are getting killed. You can’t amazon deliver a golf course to someone’s house lol. Tough situation multiple moving parts I’m just still very surprised with some things

Yeah lots of questions on why certain businesses have to close while others can stay open. What’s the difference between Walmart or target selling clothes or kohl’s or Art supplies while michaels is closed or a mom and pop store that sells the same. Just because they have essential items in part of the store. 

 

 

[RobotDoctor]

I am thankful that the courses in Colorado have reopened.  Not all courses were closed during this time as some county club courses throughout the state remained opened.  I live across the street of one of the city courses in Fort Collins, CO (my home course) and it was painful watching the course green up and people talking a walk was allowed on the course but golfers were not.  At least the courses are opened for play here, hopefully they will open everywhere soon. 

Edited May 6, 2020 by RobotDoctor

[Pandaman]

I can certainly sympathise with the owner, but if they are actually breaking laws then it is not unreasonable to expect some legal repercussions.

I am in UK where all courses are currently shut.  Unfortunately though it is not really because 'playing golf' in itself is deemed unsafe.  It is mainly the 'unneccesary journeys' needed to get there (as well as the potential risks of players congregating in the car park etc.) that effectively made keeping them open just not compatible with the guidelines and legislation.  There are mutterings of them opening, with safety measures, shortly though.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

14 minutes ago, Pandaman said:

I can certainly sympathise with the owner, but if they are actually breaking laws then it is not unreasonable to expect some legal repercussions.

I am in UK where all courses are currently shut.  Unfortunately though it is not really because 'playing golf' in itself is deemed unsafe.  It is mainly the 'unneccesary journeys' needed to get there (as well as the potential risks of players congregating in the car park etc.) that effectively made keeping them open just not compatible with the guidelines and legislation.  There are mutterings of them opening, with safety measures, shortly though.

The thing is there is no rhyme or reason. This isn't happening in just MA either where states are allowing VIOLENT offenders out of prison because of contracting the virus but we cant go golf and those owners will be reprimanded with potential jail time? Doesn't pass the smell test for me. Just a lot of things that just dont seem to make sense to me.

[Pandaman]

41 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

The thing is there is no rhyme or reason. This isn't happening in just MA either where states are allowing VIOLENT offenders out of prison because of contracting the virus but we cant go golf and those owners will be reprimanded with potential jail time? Doesn't pass the smell test for me. Just a lot of things that just dont seem to make sense to me.

I can't disagree with you there.

The problem is though that breaking any law(s) could potentially result in legal action of some sort.

Whether or not the law(s) in question are sensible however is a different matter, and not one that I am qualified to answer.  No doubt some lawyers will make enough cash to buy a few bags full of PXGs arguing that one out.

[RickyBobby_PR]

Got an email from a local course that is going to open tomorrow despite there being an order to close. The state organization has petitioned the governor to allow courses to open especially since one state has been open the whole time and the rest around us are now open, but he nor his office has responded.

I have a feeling more courses will do the same as will other businesses. 
 

Any business that was opened before the virus is essential to an economy as they are to allowing families to put food on their tables

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Just now, RickyBobby_PR said:

Got an email from a local course that is going to open tomorrow despite there being an order to close. The state organization has petitioned the governor to allow courses to open especially since one state has been open the whole time and the rest around us are now open, but he nor his office has responded.

I have a feeling more courses will do the same as will other businesses. 
 

Any business that was opened before the virus is essential to an economy as they are to allowing families to put food on their tables

Just realized you're in Maryland another 1 of 3. If courses start doing that its really going to push the state into some sort of force open I think. Reprimanding could result in some serious back lash for the state as well IMO like I stated previously.

I know these 2 courses here have really forced the state to look at opening and the stir just today is big.

*side note my 500th post was debating on where to post it but felt like my own or the G710 review was a good spot. thank you MGS for a great forum.

[StrokerAce]

make that 1 of 2.... welcome back Maryland.

[Shankster]

make that 1 of 2.... welcome back Maryland.

Gonna wait a month or 5... gonna be friggin packed.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

make that 1 of 2.... welcome back Maryland.

I am hearing Vermont is opening this week as well. So 1 of 1? Damnit Massachusetts 

[Wedgie]

Oh man I feel for you Massachusetts guys.  I can play golf in Rhode Island but I can't go to the park or park at the beach and take a walk.  So in my world my son and I are happy and my wife and daughter are pissed.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Massachusetts potential announcement possibly today to open up this weekend

Pray for us 

[StrokerAce]

7 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

Massachusetts potential announcement possibly today to open up this weekend

Pray for us 

Quote

 

Sources told MassLive the golf courses will be able to open under specific guidelines, which are expected to be released and detailed on Thursday.

MassLive learned golf courses could open as early as Thursday. 

Golf courses will not be allowed to have players use carts, the bathrooms or clubhouses.

 

....no bathrooms; what do they expect women golfers to do? 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

....no bathrooms; what do they expect women golfers to do? 

Thats what a tree is for 

[clafoone]

22 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

 

unfortunate it is! Goes to show that Golf's governing bodies didn't stand up and get involved. kind of rolled over and said okay. USGA, CDGA (in my case), PGA should have advocated for the golf communities, golf courses, driving ranges, etc. They needed to ensure the government understood how much of a non-contact sport this could be. This is especially true for the measures that were put into place: 1 person per cart, twosomes only, raised/modified cups, closed restaurant/bar areas, closed pro shops.

Just another instance of uneducated government and knee jerk reactions!

[StrokerAce]

FINALLY.... the entire country has now officially welcomed golfers back.

https://www.massgolf.org/play/safeplayguidelines/

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

FINALLY.... the entire country has now officially welcomed golfers back.

https://www.massgolf.org/play/safeplayguidelines/

YESSSS! when are we getting out stroker and @B.Boston????? Snow saturday so thats out of the question lol

[GolfSpy BOS]

YESSSS! when are we getting out stroker and [mention=85402]B.Boston[/mention]????? Snow saturday so thats out of the question lol

Sunday may not be the best idea this week either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[StrokerAce]

3 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

YESSSS! when are we getting out stroker and @B.Boston????? Snow saturday so thats out of the question lol

it will take some serious courage to play golf on Mother's Day weekend after 'mom' has been cooped up all this time. I'm not sure there's a doghouse large enough for that one.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

1 minute ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

it will take some serious courage to play golf on Mother's Day weekend after 'mom' has been cooped up all this time. I'm not sure there's a doghouse large enough for that one.

Will this suffice 

[Wedgie]

Just now, GolfSpy Stroker said:

it will take some serious courage to play golf on Mother's Day weekend after 'mom' has been cooped up all this time. I'm not sure there's a doghouse large enough for that one.

My Mother's Day gift is me leaving the house.

[GolfSpy BOS]

Will this suffice 

Are you saying I can live in a dog house with a screened in porch?!

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

29 minutes ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

FINALLY.... the entire country has now officially welcomed golfers back.

https://www.massgolf.org/play/safeplayguidelines/

I actually had an interesting conversation with my cousin who is head greens at a local course. What do you guys think about the towns that should have been responsible for this opening instead of the state? Local towns have there own health administrations and could work directly with each course?

I am definitely for local government over large scale I.E. country vs state vs town.