While private golf courses across the state remained open when the coronavirus became a pandemic, the Warren Golf Course exercised caution and closed when the University suspended in-person classes and shuttered all but essential services.
On Tuesday, June 2 the golf course reopened, after establishing numerous safety policies following the recommendations of health experts and best practices in the golf industry.
“The PGA & USGA both published best practices,” explained John Foster, general manager of the Warren Golf Course. “We had a lot of collaboration. We developed protocols, submitted them to Athletics leadership and the University’s Safety Committee and then passed two site visits to make sure we could open safely.”
For the protection of players and staff on the course, golf course management extended tee time intervals from 10 to 12 minutes between players, and for the safety of all players and staff, items such as golf clubs and pull carts are not available for rent.
In addition to only allowing one person per golf cart, with exceptions for those living in the same household, the golf course staff will completely sanitize golf carts between uses and utilize personal GPS messaging to remind players to social distance from each other while they are on the course. In addition, staff have removed bunker rakes and ball washers to eliminate surfaces that would be frequently touched.
The safe opening of the golf course brings some normalcy to people’s lives. “The players are happy we’re open,” Foster said. “It’s worked out great.” They are also happy to follow the rules because they know it’s for their own protection.
For now, the clubhouse remains closed, with the exception of two restrooms that are sanitized every other hour and the entryway where players have access to hand sanitizer.
To support all of the safety measures in place, Warren Golf Course staff are continually monitoring the course to ensure that safety policies are being followed.
Read more details about the opening of the Warren Golf Course in the University’s recent press release.
Originally published by at evp.nd.edu on June 08, 2020.