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* Good morning…
Searching for the 18th hole at the end of the world, a poem:
Golf courses.
People are so anxious just to get out on the green to be outside.
Golf courses.— Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) April 21, 2020
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 8:57 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Open the courses, close the clubhouses, can’t touch the flag (new rules allow it), no carts for now.
Comment by Birdseed Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:10 am
The turkeys were gobblin ‘tis morn. Not a more beautiful sound in the world…..unless its “we’re open for business”.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:12 am
I think the Governor tries very hard to say, that’s a stupid question, while being very diplomatic about it…
Comment by WeAreAVillage Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:14 am
I am not a turkey hunter but I sure don’t understand cancelling Turkey season. How is that a group congregate activity?
Comment by Captain Who Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:16 am
I would have to admit, even though I haven’t hit a ball anywhere besides Top Golf in a couple of years, when I walk by my clubs in the garage the idea of just being able to go to a ‘normal’ driving range with appropriate separation does has an appeal.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:17 am
Many states easing restrictions are actually earlier in the pandemic cycle than Illinois. They are playing with fire.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:17 am
I run in Washington Park everyday. I am also an avid golfer. I can tell you that it is harder to socially distance on my run through the park than in a foursome on the golf course. You are constantly weaving in and around dozens of people in the park. Some of who won’t move.
Golf in other states have provided very safe guidelines to be socially distant while playing that Illinois could easily adopt. Wisconsin is starting with these guidelines on the 24th.
Comment by Tiger Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:18 am
We have businesses and hospitals that need to be up and fully running ASAP. Golf courses, much like other way more important outdoor activities that shouldn’t be held hostage to COVID-19 like children’s upcoming outdoor summer camps (see the recent CDC study on the sunlight killing the virus effectively) are an important safety valve for keeping the public onboard with the broader efforts to combat COVID. That said, Rich, for those of us in the working age population, summer camps are a better question to be asking about rather than golf courses.
Comment by Orwell Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:19 am
Ms. Meisel, adding with poetry.
I’m already smarter today. Good stuff.
Golf courses are not essential. It pains me every single time I type that. Doesn’t make it any less true.
Also, ever get backed up on a par 3, groups waiting on a tee box? The staff that runs a golf course, they should be put at risk so I can three-putt from 12 feet?
This is a “first world” problem.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:21 am
Really hope the Gov can figure out this issue with golf courses. This should be an easy fix and most golfers would follow regulations. Hard to justify leaving liquor stores and firearm dealers open but telling golfers you are at risk standing in the middle of a fairway yards away from anyone else.
And, last week while running in Washington Park in Springfield I saw the park police telling a guy fishing by himself fishing is not allowed under the stay at home order.
Some loosing of the restrictions is in order if they want citizens to keep supporting their actions.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:21 am
=== much like other way more important outdoor activities that shouldn’t be held hostage to COVID-19 like children’s upcoming outdoor summer camps (see the recent CDC study on the sunlight killing the virus effectively) are an important safety valve for keeping the public onboard with the broader efforts to combat COVID.===
There’s a reason schools are closed.
It’s still April, not “summer”, so we’ll see how May goes first.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:23 am
Just a guess on my part but I think more solitary activities like hunting, golfing, fishing, etc. will be the first things Pritzker eases up on. Would be nice if State parks also opened to hikers. Maybe require the wearing of masks for the first few months.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:23 am
To misquote Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack celebrating a return to “normal” before the 2nd wave: “Hey, everybody! We’re all gonna get Corona!”
These places are not essential, and should remain closed. It is hard enough to deal with essential businesses being open while PPE is still in very short and uneven supply for employees.
Comment by revvedup Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:24 am
=They are playing with fire.=
With a virus that know no borders. Look how quickly it spread across the country. This should not just be what’s best for your state, county, or city but the country as a whole. We’re only as strong as our weakest state.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:25 am
New neighbor came over when they saw me taking out the garbage. Introduced themselves, stuck their hand out. I explained social distancing and they acted like it was no big deal. Repeatedly throughout the conversation the new neighbor kept getting closer, and tried again to shake hands at the end of our brief conversation.
I understand that golf is golfing and that theoretically one could force everyone to use their own cart, and tell everyone to avoid physical greetings, but there are so many traditional opportunities to exchange viral contagions with each other that I can’t imagine this being successful in practice.
Especially with some folks taking the lack of practical behavior as being a point of personal pride or political protest. This is a we all hang together, or we hang separately kind of situation and sadly some states are trying to make sure that community spread sees as little of a decrease as possible before resuming to a state of normal affairs — essentially making all of this pointless and creating a nightmare scenario where we insure that our communities will continue to see new points of infection.
Golf can wait. Boating can wait.
Failure to wait makes everything we just did sort of pointless. We can boast about minor success in flattening the curve, but we literally can’t track the curve very well to begin with, and it just takes one bad policy decision to send those numbers through the roof again.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:25 am
I’m not a golfer–at all.
But let’s be consistent–if there’s any sport, where social distancing can be followed to the letter, it’s golf. Take out the flags. Even visually mark the greens–yellow police tape? I agree that golf is not essential, but courses could be open without violating social distancing guidelines.
Comment by ajjacksson Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:27 am
Golf certainly isn’t essential. Neither is lawn care service or planting marigolds. Come to think of it, is it that critical to work on highway projects?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:28 am
===see the recent CDC study on the sunlight killing the virus effectively===
I often find one of the greatest joys is filling my lungs full of literal sunlight for the appropriate length of time it takes to kill the viruses causing my respiratory infections.
And certainly, living in summer camp conditions that are similar to barracks or good old fashion army camps with shared dining and other necessities pose no risk for the spread of infectious diseases.
History has shown that folks living in camp like conditions are often the healthiest on account of all of that virus killing sunshine in their lungs.
/snark
I’m not sure what y’all did at your summer camps, but in my experience social isolation was only experienced by one or two of the counselors.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:33 am
I think the problem with some of the solitary outdoor activities, such as hunting and fishing, is that these activities a) require people to work in coffee shops, bait shops, etc to serve the hunters and fishers and b) require participants to use public bathrooms and other facilities where the virus can be spread on doorknobs, etc.,
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:35 am
My advice to all those who want the golf courses to be open is to go buy a bag of whiffle balls and stand in your back yard and whack the crap out of them.
You don’t need a lot of space, they only go a few feet no matter how hard you hit them.
Comment by twowaystreet Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:35 am
===where social distancing can be followed to the letter, it’s golf===
Socializing is a big part of golf for a lot of people and its not like there’s staffing to facilitate making sure social distancing “norms” are followed.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:35 am
I hope golf courses can be open for my mother’s sake. My father is driving her insane. And I’m not being snarky. He has been inside for a month now and the tension in the home is getting unbearable.
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:37 am
I see the Illinois Supreme Court is going to hold oral arguments in May via zoom. Should be interesting.
Comment by Steve Rogers Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:39 am
To me it seems the critical determination should be whether a business can operate in “safety mode” - distancing, air flow, masks, etc. for both customers and staff. If so, maybe some nonessential businesses could at least partially open.
Comment by Rachel Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:39 am
Turkey season is not cancelled. If you have a permit you may hunt on private land.
Comment by efudd Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:40 am
Tiger - runners, frankly, are a menace. Do you realize how much toxic waste spews out of your mouth when you run? There are peer-reviewed studies out that show runners droplets remain suspended in their slipstream for up to 60 feet behind them, so it’s way way way worse than just walking by someone.
You’re the one that needs to move, not the people in your way. Grow up.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:41 am
Living in FL, I’ve been thankful that our courses have been open every day with restrictions. I’ll concede that golf is. Of an essential activity but in older communities it is one of the few forms of exercise some folks will regularly engage in. It’s easy to stay socially distanced in single or push carts and access to areas like the clubhouse are limited. Ball washers are covered and foam is used in the cups to the ball can be reached without having to place your entire hand in. Additionally, carts are wiped down with sanitizer after every use. No guests are allowed. It’s worked well for us. At our club I am not aware of anyone having been diagnosed with the virus.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:42 am
It helps to have a Mayor as a member of your Country Club. Orland Parks Mayor gets a free golf membership as its Mayor and maybe that’s why the golf course was filled with golfers all weekend long.
Comment by Hard D Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:42 am
==There are peer-reviewed studies out that show runners droplets remain suspended in their slipstream for up to 60 feet behind them==
Please share, thanks!
Comment by twowaystreet Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:47 am
I don’t care if a person wants to go golf, I do care that other people would need to staff that golf course in order for you to do it. Chicago has all the tennis courts locked up and I’m way more socially distant on the other side of the net playing tennis (which needs no staff to run) than I would be playing golf. People whinning about not being able to golf is the epitome of a first world problem. Golf is just a good walk spoiled, just take the walk instead.
Comment by Ferris Bueller Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:48 am
Golf courses = privilege. To me, opening them up would be a slap in the face to all those on the front lines - first responders, CO’s, & health care workers. Hey- imma keep risking my life to care for others but hey, y’all keep on fiddling. Am considering carrying a squirt gun (or super soaker?) so I can let unmasked runners who speed past me a taste of their sprayed liquids. Yeah, hump day is hitting me hard this week. It is Wednesday, right?
Comment by LoyalVirus Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:49 am
=At our club I am not aware of anyone having been diagnosed with the virus.=
yet
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:51 am
==This is a “first world” problem.==
Nailed it.
Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:52 am
I think part of the problem is how the regs are being applied. Washington Park, no fishing but tennis courts open and people playing. explain that to me. LOL
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 9:57 am
Closing golf courses makes little or no sense. Social distancing can be enforced by adjusting the rules and spacing the players by staggering the tee times and by banning motor carts and requiring players to walk.
It is also not a game for the elites. Many courses are open to the public and operated by local park districts or the county forest preserves.
Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:03 am
As OW says, with respect…
“Backed up on a Par 3…” How about backed up at every checkout line at Walmart, Lowe’s, grocery stores…etc.
Your logic and others commenting here require everything shut down.
It’s no secret regions and areas of states are way less infected. And it’s also obvious this isn’t going away. Hard choices need to be made and adult behaviors need to be adjusted. But this “privilege” take is ridiculous.
With respect, we don’t need to be hanging out at state fairs and beer gardens right now…but golf isn’t any different and really is much more spatial than a lot of the essential business making money right now.
Use common sense. With respect.
Comment by Hold on a sec Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:05 am
===At our club I am not aware of anyone having been diagnosed with the virus. ===
Seeing as how the requirement for any of your club’s members to get tested is a pretty high bar that requires hospitalization or known exposure, that basically means folks at your club are in the same boat as everyone else. Not tested.
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, my friend. Stay safe. Be frosty.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:06 am
Give Me a Break-
You can’t fish at Washington Park, but you can play tennis?
Wow.
Personally, unless I’m on a boat, I don’t want another fisherman within 50 yards of me.
Comment by efudd Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:07 am
- Hold on a sec -
Golf course workers are now essential workers?
Respectfully, no.
First world problem.
Global problem? Getting food to stores, people needing food in stores, people going to stores.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:07 am
How is tennis socially distant?
Do you ever touch the ball?
Golf courses can have 70 people spread over as many as 200 acres and all of our neighboring states are open.
Pretending Illinois residents won’t just drive across the border is not realistic
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:08 am
Golf might be the only sport where you can successfully be socially distant with minimal disruption to the game. It is also a game that many use as a stress reliever. When I was studying for the bar exam years ago, they always instructed you to have one activity that was a stress reliever where you can just escape for a while. Mine was golf - every Sunday morning.
This might just be something that can bring a little bit of relief from the stress of day to day life under quarantine while continuing to stay away from each other.
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:14 am
Open golf tennis walking and running tracks and trust the people to do it correctly. Big government is NOT the answer and if the shutdown continues much longer the economy will be destroyed and our overall health (both physical and mental health} will be hurt far worse than the virus is causing.
Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:15 am
I would like to see the breakdown of people who oppose opening golf courses who also like to golf. I have a sneaking suspicion your opinion depends on whether you like to engage in the activity.
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:17 am
=== Golf courses can have 70 people===
At any given busy day… 144 golfers are on the course, and touching the ball, the chemicals on a course can make you as sick as anything. Plus you’re neglecting the now “essential staff” needed to run a course… then there’s people waiting to play, on or around the first tee.
It’s not like “70” players are the only folks out there in a 10 hour golf day.
If you want to go to Indiana, have at it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:17 am
folks do mean well - but as we all know, it’s hard to keep those close-talkers, chit-chatters separated in the clubhouse or on the tees; and to make matters worse - the worst offenders well….hit from the senior tees.
no worries though as have been hitting irons with golf wiffle balls all spring in back yard anyway (they only go several feet)
Comment by golf police Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:21 am
Many Indiana golf courses open. Clubhouse closed. No power carts. Make and pay for tee time online. They only allow 1 tee time every 15 minutes. Keep social distance from playing partners. Bingo - I am playing 18 on Thursday.
Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:26 am
Open the courses. It’s been done elsewhere and with appropriate restrictions. In a time when many businesses will be lost, there is no reason to add more when it is avoidable. There are more than 700 golf courses in Illinois that make the great majority of their revenue from April through October. Make it walking only and warn players that failure to abide by all social distancing rules will get them bounced. There’s no need to even go into a clubhouse.
Comment by SSL Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:27 am
Golf not essential? Not convinced everything citizens do have to be essential. At some point we have to start assuming people know about the virus and will act appropriately.
I do get the concern for employees that might be unnecessarily exposed to the virus.
My kids used to refer to Golf as “walking the Dad” as in “Mom, I’m going out to walk Dad”. While I will never be good at golf, playing golf is a lot more fun than watching golf. It also an opportunity to get some walking in.
As I am seldom in the fairway, social distancing is not a problem for Back. Also walking a course gives you the opportunity to keep to social distancing common sense choices.
The backup at Par 3s can be a problem, but just don’t stand on top of one another.
Golf courses should be opened up as soon as the new guidelines that follow some science are in place.
Most golfers are folks that follow rules.
Comment by Back to the Future Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:31 am
I can only tell you how golf courses being open throughout this ordeal has worked in our state. Not essential but a welcome distraction and a healthy activity. BTW, there are currently 27,869 confirmed cases in FL with 867 deaths and 33,059 cases in Illinois with 1,468 deaths. And Florida has 22 million residents versus Illinois 12.5 million residents. Florida must be doing something right.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:31 am
There does need to be some overall recreation plan- I keep coming back mentally to some sort of designated days for park/trail/whatever based on last name or even/odd addresses or something, along with bigger cities closing streets to traffic for certain period. The running community has been trying to push running solo, I guess we can make #golfsolo a thing
Couple that with some similar system for grocery days to tighten up our out of the house contacts to try and pull the curve down while keeping us sane.
Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:35 am
To be clear, golf courses have always been allowed to be maintained by grounds crews during pandemic. So those workers are “essential”. Pro shop and snack bars are closed at all courses that are open. Very little human contact there. Players are adults and they either abide by the rules or they act like Spring Breakers. But that’s going to happen anywhere, including the no-mask wearers at the grocery store.
Most golfers just want the fun and exercise and know how to social distance. Suggestion: Stating up-front before your comment “I play/ don’t play golf“.
Comment by Boomerang Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:50 am
=== So those workers are “essential”===
* There’s been no outside contact with the public
=== Players are adults and they either abide by the rules or they act like Spring Breakers. But that’s going to happen anywhere===
So it’s another risky place to be… like… ===grocery stores===
Hmm.
———————————
Do I golf?
I’ve *heard* of it, it’s like field hockey or something…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 10:55 am
I was hearing from a NY Doc that there are less cases among the homeless and those who live on the streets. He surmises that outdoor folks fare much better than inside buildings. I now see many walkers and residents carrying a club or two to practice, and dogs love the open green space.
Comment by Top of the State Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 11:20 am
The city of Moline has stopped funding the city’s public library during the COVID-19 shutdown, and have laid off all employees. Even though electronic services will continue:
https://qctimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/moline-stops-funding-to-library-lays-off-employees/article_3340231c-fe3e-5928-93a1-e0a367b86b50.html?fbclid=IwAR0dBxtusfpQWDBQeLXG5TqlSt_KbMG9HKoZl-HCesjj6yI8XdrUwMoS0FI
Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 11:22 am
===Florida must be doing something right.===
This take compels me question everything you write.
Comment by LoyalVirus Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 11:59 am
The takeaway about golf?
“Look, I should be able to golf, no matter what those working there or others would like social distancing.”
The red herring?
“Lemme see who golfs and who doesn’t.”
(Sigh)
Maintaining a club and expecting the possibility that those same workers should be exposed to Covidiots so golfers (like me) can get their high…
It’s a first world problem.
Oh… Florida… my fave.
Yeah, opening as they have, it’s like people forget… you are exposed and exposing others to all you make contact with.
If Illinois is worse… than Florida… how in any math does it make sense with LESS social distancing?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 12:42 pm
=“Backed up on a Par 3…” How about backed up at every checkout line at Walmart, Lowe’s, grocery stores…etc.
Your logic and others commenting here require everything shut down. =
People have to eat. They don’t have to golf.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 12:54 pm
During the early days lockdowns and social distancing were our only protection against overwhelming our health care system and seeing millions dead. Evidence is that a return to pre-virus behavior would lead to an explosion of infections. Evidence also indicates that without a vaccine we will not be completely safe.
So how can we change behavior? 0we will have to take more risk and see more infections, while trying to avoid being overwhelmed.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 1:25 pm
The question shouldn’t be whether a business is essential it should be whether it can be opened safely. A golf course is high on the list of those that can be opened safely. No clubhouse access, pay online, no rakes in the bunkers, no pulling the pin, flip the cup so the ball doesn’t fall in, either one per cart or walking only. Yes it sucks that this virus is forcing medical workers to work crazy hours and put themselves at risk but that doesn’t mean the rest of us must just sit at home when there are things we can do that are safe.
Comment by TW Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 1:40 pm
=== but that doesn’t mean the rest of us must just sit at home when there are things we can do that are safe.===
It’s truly amazing the amount of people telling people, like golf course employees, they must, before phase 1 is even met, must work arming people at their work place.
It’s like saying “Meh, let’s use these folks to see how things are spreading”
The reason governments are only choosing “essential” workers is to try to limit those who could get infected at work.
“Ok”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 22, 20 @ 5:47 pm