The ODH deemed golf courses non-essential businesses on Thursday, ruling they would have to remain closed until April 6.
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The following day, Joe Robertson, director of sales and marketing at Shaker Run, a 27-hole golf course in Lebanon, received a letter from the WCHD informing him to close operations at the course by the end of the day Friday. Robertson followed the letter, then was confused as he drove around Butler County over the weekend and saw courses crowded with golfers.
“It was tough to take for sure,” said Robertson, noting the course was closed Saturday and Sunday, its two busiest days of the week.
But now he’s glad the state considers courses “a safe place” to be during coronavirus concerns.
“Grateful for the opportunity to keep the business sustainable,” he said.
But to operate, the courses must comply with temporary rules and restrictions, including those listed under the social distancing requirements in Section 15 of the Director’s Stay at Home Order.
Those include:
• Designate six-foot distances. Designating with signage, tape, or by other means six-foot spacing for employees and customers to maintain appropriate distance. This also applies to golf carts.
• Hand sanitizer and sanitizing products. Having hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available for employees and customers.
• Separate operating hours for vulnerable populations. Implementing separate operating hours for elderly and vulnerable customers.
• Online and remote access. Posting online whether a facility is open and how best to reach the facility and continue services by phone or remotely.
Hamilton’s two courses opened this week. Twin Run opened Monday and Potter’s Park Tuesday, according to the city’s Facebook post.
“If everybody listens, I don’t think we will have any issues,” Steve Timmer, director of Hamilton’s Parks Consortium, said last week while addressing the hygiene regulations.
Brown’s Run County Club, which recently opened to the public, and Wildwood Golf Club, a private club in Middletown, have remained open. Bob Wilson, director of golf at BRCC, said players are encouraged to pay online and once they arrive at the course, a staff member will meet them with a cart key.
Jordan Lawson, general manager at Wildwood, said the course is open, but food and beverage is carry-out only.
Cheryl Ackerman, general manager of Walden Ponds Golf Club in Hamilton, said the course is open to walkers only. She said tee times must be made in advance over the phone and green fees paid with a credit card.
When golfers arrive, they should check in with the starter and their credit cards will be billed, she said.
The pro shop and concession area will be closed to reduce golfer contact with staff, she said.
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