Golf Must Stand Down To Eventually Thrive Again

I’ve put a pause on reading the various golf-goes-on stories at this point (but thanks to all who sent them in). Nearly every outlet in a decently populated area dispatched a reporter to check out golf course activity.

They all detail pretty much the same (wonderful) thing: golf is a great outlet and social distancing friendly. The stories mention courses debating whether to stay open or closed while reporting heavy amounts of play in recent days and much-needed distraction golf has provide. But now, as Bill Pennington details for the New York Times, a slowdown after the initial burst of play as restrictions escalate.

For the good of humanity, the golf needs to stop.

As much as the dreadful COVD-19 appeared to be an opportunity to serve as an outlet while combating the coronavirus, it’s clear the best way for the virus to be eradicated is through social distancing. And while golf has generally complied—except for the inexplicable renting of carts or allowing multiple riders—the game must come to a halt.

Not because it’s suddenly less safe. But to avoid pretzly paragraph, everything must shut down because the planet is populated by a staggering number of numskulls who simply do not get it. Grade A, Prime Cut, All-Conference morons.

Depending on where you live, you’ve seen the ignorance to varying degrees. And while it’s painful to shut down an important form of exercise and a way of life for millions needing a recreational outlet, golfers have to join with the world and help stop the frightening spread.

The silver lining: golf will be able to return to normalcy sooner than most activities. With a small values and priorities reset, the sport should be stronger despite likely losing some treasured community courses during this downturn.

Based on my reading of stories over the last week highlighting golf’s benefits and safety, the sport has already planted a seed with the world as a fantastic alternative to so many others. No one will be rushing back to indoor workouts unless absolutely necessary.

And whenever normalcy is restored in pro sports, golf will like be the first major sport to resume (perhaps without spectators, initially). The sport is primed for a renaissance if it can just stomach some down time. The more we hunker down now, the sooner we can return to the links.

So while the priority must shift to stopping the spread and caring for the stricken, there will be time to ponder how this pandemic can improve the sport we all love. Golf cannot capitalize on the recent good vibes if its participants buck the rest of society. So hang up the bag, store away your shoes, and take this opportunity to prove golf has a valuable place in the world by not teeing it up any time soon.

Understandable: Golf Comes To A Halt In UK For First Time Since World War II

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement announcing new restrictions on life in the UK in an effort to stop the spread of COVD-19, the English and Scottish Golf Unions confirmed the closure of golf courses and clubs. It’s the first significant closure since World War II, though even then some clubs remained open with special rules.

From England Golf:

It is England Golf’s position that this deeply regrettable, but highly necessary and responsible course of action must be implemented with immediate effect and be maintained until further notice.

The government has identified an urgent need to introduce new restrictions on public life and on non-essential businesses opening their doors.

This has been done to limit the spread of the coronavirus and relieve the growing pressure on our National Health Service.

Keeping golf courses open is simply no longer compatible with the updated policy of government which is designed to save lives in a time of national emergency.

The health and wellbeing of the nation is the only consideration that matters at this moment in our history.

These are incredibly testing times for the country. The golf industry cannot be shielded from the economic and social ramifications caused by this temporary shutdown of normal life.

And a statement from Scottish Golf:

With this in mind, Scottish Golf asks that all golfers in Scotland refrain from golfing until further notice. 

We understand that this advice will have a significant impact on golf clubs across the country and we will continue to consult with industry partners to provide clubs with all information and support possible during this time of deep uncertainty. 

We know that these decisions are difficult ones to make, but right now, it is our shared responsibility to prioritise the health of our local communities by working together to follow the Government guidelines. In doing so, this will ensure that we get the opportunity to play the game that we all love as soon as it is safe to do so.

Both organizations said they would provide further updates when warranted.

Seamus Golf Pausing Operations To Make Masks For Physicians, Nurses, First Responders

The good folks at Seamus Golf have made the noble decision to stop taking website orders and focus their business on making masks to help frontline medical personnel free of charge.

Their email to customers, copy and pasted here:

Hello Friends:

Over the past few days we received inquiries from primary care physicians, nurses, and first responders for our masks.

Prototyping began last week and ended with our first production run on Friday.  We are using materials and constructing them in a way that each of these individuals still wants us to send them masks to use as a last resort.  They have confirmed that what we are making is better than what they are resorting to use.

We do not have the N95 material but are seeking it.

By taking last week to disinfect and set up the office for social distanced production, we believe that we can continue to make products and keep our employees through this time.

We are temporarily closing the store to allow the full team to focus and assess the situation with masks.  Our second production run begins tonight.

If you are on the frontline and would like an emergency kit, please email

masks@seamusgolf.com

We are not charging for the kits.  This is our way of saying thank you for serving at this time.

While the online store is temporarily closed, we have not.  Our customer support team is here to keep you in the loop.  If you have any questions concerning your order, please email

orders@seamusgolf.com

Far and Sure,
Akbar & Megan
Co-Founders
Seamus Golf

"It was the world’s athletes who forced Bach’s hand"

Christine Brennan, who broke news of the Tokyo Olympics postponement finally arriving, notes that it was the athletes who ultimately forced the loathsome IOC to understand what the rest of the world was experiencing, expecting and in the cases of Canada and Australia, forcing.

The athletes of the world needed Bach, once an Olympic athlete himself, a gold-medal-winning fencer from Germany, to be a leader at this crucial moment in history. What they found instead was a man who failed to rise to the challenge of the moment, who failed to understand that answers and empathy were essential, who chose a “business as usual, the Games must go on” stance when that became absolutely the worst possible position to take.

Some day, when things return to normal, we can look back on this latest hiccup for the Olympic movement and consider how golf best fits going forward. But for now, at least, we no longer have to see speculation about who will make teams or worry about the preparation being hampered and instead focus on those in need.

Roundup: Weekend Stories On What Golf Courses Are Doing During The COVD-19 Outbreak

Common sense said golf courses were good places to be—with precautions—during the spread of COVD-19.

But as communities struggle to get people to hunker down, the benefits of exercise and fresh air will continue to clash with those concerns.

I certainly see both sides to the discussion but ultimately, it’s hard not to see golf courses as good spots to be if open, taking precautions and considerate of circumstances in their regions.

Roxanna Scott has the best pros/cons story I’ve seen, though golfers won’t like hearing the ultimate conclusion of Alexei Wagner, medical director within Stanford’s Department of Emergency Medicine,

“I think the challenge is golf in of itself is a game that does allow for social distancing in some ways, but there’s certainly times during the golf game such as transitioning to the clubhouse, using the bathrooms, teeing off where you are within that 6-feet (boundary). The big thing is figure out what you can do that allows you to distance socially that may augment your game later, whether that may be strength conditioning alone in your house, stretching, running, walking.”

The USGA is acknowledging the current situation and allowing golfers to turn in scores in ways they are not necessarily used to, reports Golf World’s Ryan Herrington.

Starting with the bad news, Bolton, Massachusetts’ The International Golf Club and Resort has closed. Thanks to reader Andrew for Bill Doyle’s story on the private club closing after coronavirus fears added to financial woes.

The International has hosted several Jimmy Fund golf tournaments, including the fund’s first in 1983, and has also hosted many Boston Bruins golf events.

The Pines Course at the International was at one time known as the world’s longest golf course, playing 8,375 yards from the back tees, and is still the longest in the U.S.

ITT Sheraton executive Daniel Weadock purchased the International in January 1999. A second 18-hole course, the Oaks, was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 2001.

It’s a mixed bag in the Dallas area, reports Matthew DeFrank.

Alex Walker on Kentucky golf courses remaining open.

Mark Cannizzaro on New York area courses offering a respite for some public courses reporting robust rounds, though some disturbing examples allowing two-people in carts.

How busy are our area courses? A person from American Golf Corporation, which runs six courses in the New York Metropolitan Area, revealed these numbers of play from Wednesday: Clearview in Queens had 199 players play, Pelham in the Bronx had 193 rounds played, Dyker Beach in Brooklyn had 164, La Tourette had 151 and South Shore on Staten Island had 115.

“All of us are on the fly trying to figure this out, trying to provide a little bit of escape for people in a safe way,’’ said Brian Giordano, the head pro at Westchester Hills, a private club in White Plains.

Bandon Dunes is getting cancellations but also remaining open.

Brian Napier on Missouri courses largely remaining open.

The City of San Diego has closed Torrey Pines, Balboa Park and Mission Bay until further notice, Tom Krasovic reports. He reports on other greater San Diego area courses remaining open.

Santa Barbara area courses, also closed reports Barry Punzal.

Trump National Los Angeles, like all privately operated courses in the region, is closed.

The City of LA courses were open and thriving reports Dakota Smith. The story appeared in Saturday’s LA Times. The courses were all closed on Sunday. Reader Alex sent in these photos of measures taken when play was open.

A similar change of heart regarding staying open for play took place in Salt Lake City, reports Mike Sorenson.

Trump Ferry Point, was open as of Friday according to this New York Times report.

The Villages only took major action this week, reports AP’s Mike Schneider. They’ve finally cancelled most activities for the mega-retirement community but are still allowing golf.

“This is The Villages. There would be a riot if they stopped golf," said Cathie Hardy, a resident, who gently chastised her husband, Michael, for playing golf that morning instead of staying home.

“This community loves to socialize," Hardy said. “Parties at the drop of a hat. Block parties. Potluck dinners. That's going to have to stop and that's going to be difficult."

Alan Shipnuck with a report on the greater Monterey courses. Poppy Hills had tee times available while Fort Ord expected to do 340 players at its 36-holes. So Shipnuck snuck on Pacific Grove even after it closed a few days ago.

Josh Sens hit an outdoor public putting green in Oakand and writes about it at Golf.com.

Nathan Dominitz on the scene in Savannah where golfers agree it’s the safest recreational option.

Denver and City of Aurora courses are closed for the time being, reports Courtney Oaks.

Mark Woods provides this update on various measures taken in Ireland, where courses have largely remained open.

And in Europe, almost half the courses are closed, reports Bunkered’s Michael McEwan. 

At least 4,121 of Europe's 8,940 courses are currently in lockdown - 46.1%. 

Germany accounts for the highest proportion of those, with all 1,050 of its layouts closed. A short statement on the German Golf Association website stated: "Play operations on golf courses are forbidden nationwide from Wednesday, March 18, 2020."

Today In Much Needed Humor Department: Padraig's Amazing Concentration

Padraig Harrington has been filling the golf void by Tweeting instruction videos and also his support for the people of Italy, where the suffering and pain is beyond comprehension.

Check out all of his Tweets here if you are looking for some instruction.

And since his postings, this version with enhanced audio has surfaced. (Padraig is already taking it in stride.)

This is a must watch! Padraigs concentration levels are off the charts!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/5yc3cCACnt

— Conor Moore (@ConorSketches) March 21, 2020

Pete Cowen Believes He Has Coronavirus, Pleads For All To Take Precautions

James Corrigan of the Telegraph delivers disheartening news on so many fronts, as Pete Cowen, instructor and all-around great figure in golf, believes he has COVD-19 but has not been tested.

Either way, he feels awful and is urging all to do whatever they can not to get infected. From Corrigan’s story:

“You really don’t want this,” Cowen said on Sunday. “I’m feeling horrendous and wouldn’t wish this on anyone; no matter how young and fit they may be.”

Cowen was most recently at the Players Championship, where he was working with his various top players, including Brooks Koepka and Gary Woodland.

**Brian Wacker at GolfDigest.com files this after communicating with Cowen, with this and more comments from the instructor:

After arriving home in Yorkshire and a few days of self-isolating, Cowen said that he began to feel the effects last Monday, so he and his wife called for an ambulance. Upon its arrival, Cowen said he was told that he showed all the signs of having the virus.

“Low oxygen blood levels, high temperature, hot and cold shivers, racing heart rate, shortage of breath, continuous deep cough,” Cowen said via text. “They said I had all the symptoms but there’s nothing they could do about it other than give me [pain and fever medication] and fluids."

Most Pro Tournaments Unlikely To Be Covered In The Case Of A Pandemic

ESPN.com’s Bob Harig looks at the Valspar Championship—which is supposed to be well into round 2 of the 2020 event—tearing down and dealing with issues related to the COVD-19 cancellation.

This from Harig’s piece answers a question many have had about significant professional golf tournaments and whether insurance covers pandemics:

Making matters worse? Although the Valspar Championship and most events take out insurance for business interruption, a pandemic is not covered in such instances.

"We can't go back to them at all,'' she said.

I can confirm this is the case for most tournaments. Another blow to lost events and communities benefiting from their charitable dollars.

Tiger Tweets: TGR Foundation Offering Free Education Lessons, Resources During Coronavirus Crisis

Amazing to see what the folks at the TGR Foundation are doing with millions of children at home and parents looking for things to occupy the time (full explanation and curriculum at the link).

Tiger Tweeted last night about the #STEM offerings in partnership with Discovery Education. Besides lessons for parents, they are also offering resources for educators and an email It’s beyond impressive. And all free.

I can’t get the embed playing in a larger format, so just head to their link for a better version as it’s a comprehensive explanation of how to easily find their offerings.

"Golf is a sport where players roam large acres of open space with no interaction with large groups of people."

Greetings from the first stay-home state in the Union.

While there is not much to celebrate in the Governor’s stay-at-home order—except maybe preventing California golf pros from sharing their cute “content” as people suffer— the requirement of residents will hopefully help cut down on human suffering and prevent a greater calamity.

Either way, the California order means golf courses (and all non-essential businesses) now must close until further notice.

Therefore, to yesterday’s poll where it’s clear the sport generally feels carrying on with recreation is a must (thank you for voting as always), I wanted to add this paragraph from Mike Sorensen who was writing about Utah’s decision to keep courses open for the time being:

Golf is a sport where players roam large acres of open space with no interaction with large groups of people. Golfers use their own equipment, tee up their own golf balls, and don’t have to touch much else. They can easily stay 6 feet away from their fellow golfers unless they share a cart. In fact, under new worldwide golf rules that went into effect last year, golfers don’t even have to handle flagsticks to take them out of the cups any more.

The decisions of leaders to “flatten the curve” should be supported in these tough times. That said, there will be a need for folks to maintain wellness and the sport will eventually need to deftly make the case it is a necessary activity for some in society and for the economy.

But for now, we’ll just lay low in the Golden State. Be safe everyone!

State Of The Game 103: The Coronavirus Episode

Rod Morri, Mike Clayton and I convened but don’t get your hopes up for much ball rollback chat, unless you count the suggestion made to just do it now and get it over with.

Mostly, we just assess the state of the game and how to manage golf’s place in a pandemic world.

Thought And Poll: To Play Golf Or Not To Play?

As parts of the world shut down to stave off the coronavirus spread, there is uncomfortable and all-first world question of whether to play golf?

We know the pluses: humans still need fresh air and exercise, they need to get out of the house but not gather in large groups, and they need to do something they love for general sanity purposes.

The minuses are largely of perception: does it look wrong? Is it bad to be out gallivanting around the links as thousands are infected, hospitals face a looming crisis and the economy craters? Why should golf course workers be forced to keep going while so many safely stay home?

The answers are not easy nor are they consistent. Look at this sampling of items filed just today but writers we all know and trust.

Mike Johnson at Golf World revealed what his Connecticut club is doing and surveyed a broad swatch of places, each with very different stances ranging from closed to open with no rakes, flagsticks not to be touched, carts sanitized for a party of one. And there was this:

According to the National Club Association, 40 percent of its clubs have indicated moderate modifications as a result of the coronavirus, approximately 25 percent have indicated “a lot” (such as canceling all events) and nearly 20 percent have closed their facilities. Only 1 to 2 percent indicate they have made no modifications. A recent online town hall drew more than 2,000 people to hear experts in the medical and club fields while also collecting data on what many clubs are doing. Some of the actions the NCA is advocating clubs consider include (For more information, go to coronavirus.nationalclub.org):

The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster makes the case for playing:

Rarely do you ever find yourself crowded or with someone in your face on the golf course. And, of course, the maximum number of players you can have in a group is four.

To me, it has to be one of the safest places anyone could be at the moment and, by the sounds of things, the medical experts are of the same opinion.

But Alistair Tait is feeling increasingly uneasy teeing it up and makes a strong case here.

I’ve grown increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of going to the golf club despite the fact we only play in four balls and the guys I play with would adhere to government and club guidelines.

None of us really knows how this virus works. For all I know, I could be a carrying the virus and could pass it on even if I was practising all the guidelines. The last thing I’d want to do is spread the disease to friends. That risk, however remote, is just not worth it.

Brendan Porath at SB Nation makes this point:

Golf may be a lower-risk activity for people looking for a break from total isolation or social distancing. But there is still an element of shared space and public interaction. Most importantly, as the Augusta chairman noted, there are the staffs required to run and maintain a golf course and a clubhouse, whether it be some gaudy private complex or a spartan public shack. As the pandemic evolves and likely escalates in the United States, courses, both public and private, will face the decision of shutting down an outdoor “low-risk” operation.

Superintendents, including at places like Ridgewood CC where Todd Raisch oversees things, are raising cups to prevent golfers from reaching into the hole and possibly spreading the virus (see photo above).

As Andy Johnson and I discussed on this week’s Fried Egg pod, this is an opportunity for golf to reset some values and also change perceptions of facilities as elitist havens wasting environmental resources. Perhaps this awful moment in history will, at some point, give the sport an opening to reestablish its rightful place as a healthy way to exercise.

Today, I hit a bucket of balls at Rancho Park in LA, which looked like Rancho of old: golfers were still getting called to tee off the first hole at 5:30 pm, the entire course was full, as was the range. The putting greens were populated by every age, gender and race imaginable. Social distancing was evident if you looked closely, but otherwise it was just another day at Rancho.

But I also understand that in certain regions, no one should be out and golf courses should not be attracting people to cross barriers. However, there must be a place for golf to carve out in this pandemic. I dare say it’s a grand opportunity for the USGA and R&A to take the lead in highlighting how golf courses are generally safe places to be right now. Oh, and to point out they presciently got out ahead of the virus with the new flagstick-can-stay-in-the-cup-while-you-putt rule.

______

Given that a surprising majority of you voted to keep playing the Players, I’m way above mentioning how that vote looks questionable in hindsight. And because I’d like to hear your thoughts:

Should playing golf be encouraged at this stage of the COVD-19 crisis?

Yes, we need air and with precautions it's safe

No, it's a time to quarantine and put the clubs away

 

pollcode.com free polls

Fried Egg Podcast: COVD-19 And Golf

Andy Johnson https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-fried-egg-podcast/e/68110094

While we agree there must be a less unseemly word than “opportunity”, the virus may shine a light on the benefits of golf and highlight it as a safe alternative to other pastimes. And in first world fashion, we also agree that the demise of germ-toting bunker rakes—I knew it!—will maybe reset what a bunker should look like.

Anyway, give it a listen…

Roundup: Whirlwind Of Tournament Postponements, Cancellations And Possible Reschedulings Amid Deteriorating COVD-19 Crisis

In about a fairly small window, several major golf organizations announced tournament cancellations, postponements and rumors of possible reschedulings this fall surfaced.

While moves to reschedule could be seen as premature given the deteriorating pandemic conditions and horrifying worst-case projections, golf tournaments need time to prepare for new dates and, more bluntly, we all need something to look forward to.

Starting in order of importance with the PGA of America officially postponing May’s PGA Championship at Harding Park. (See above embed for full statement.)

Brian Wacker reports for GolfDigest.com on that and the possible re-positioning of the PGA to August before the PGA Tour playoff events, which would all get bumped back a week assuming by then there is any plausible reason for professional golf tournaments.

All of these best-case new dates also are working around the Olympic Games, which are still on schedule according to the IOC.

The PGA Tour took decisive action on a number of events on all tours and offered this as part of their statement:

As we receive more clarity in the coming weeks, the TOUR will be working with our tournament organizations and title sponsors, in collaboration with golf’s governing bodies, to build a PGA TOUR schedule for 2020 that ensures the health and safety for all associated with our sport and a meaningful conclusion to the season.  We will provide further updates when those plans come into focus.

Today’s cancellation of PGA TOUR events through May 10 applies to all six Tours, although PGA TOUR Champions has rescheduled The Regions Tradition. Originally slated for May 7-10, the event will now be played September 24-27.  PGA TOUR Champions previously announced on March 16 that the Mastercard Japan Championship (June 12-14) will not be contested due to the current travel advisories in place from the CDC, the WHO and the U.S. Department of State.

The full list of tournaments cancelled or postponed on all PGA Tours.

The PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, issued this statement to players via YouTube, mentions several “business decisions” made as well as offering a “cross-developmental” team to give players a “menu of options” for helping in their communities:

Meanwhile the USGA has cancelled its two four-ball events and local qualifying for the U.S. Open and all qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open in late May. Both national championships remain scheduled.

This appears to be the first time the local qualifying stage has not been used since 1959 when the initial round was started.

The full USGA statement:

On those dispiriting notes, one glimmer of hope first noted by Twitterers and reported on by ESPN.com’s Bob Harig: hotel rooms have suddenly become hard to find in Augusta, Georgia this October.

The week in question coincides on the current calendars with the European Tour’s Italian Open (uh, not happening) and the Shriner’s Hospital For Children Classic in Las Vegas as part of the 2020-21 PGA Tour schedule.

So how far the leaders of the Masters have proceeded in trying to figure out when to play the tournament in 2020 is unclear. And obviously, how the pandemic plays out will also have a big impact on whether the tournament is rescheduled.

But LPGA Tour player Marina Alex went to Twitter on Tuesday to complain about a room reservation she had in Augusta being canceled for what she said was no reason. And she figured it's due to a rescheduling of the Masters for that time in October.

This fall’s Ryder Cup is a go, say the official Twitter accounts of the event.

However, The Telegraph’s James Corrigan says a delay is likely coming until 2021.

And finally—for today anyway—Randall Mell reports for GolfChannel.com on a creative approach by LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan to consider combining some cancelled events and sponsorships in open calendar spots later this year.

Some will find the rescheduling efforts distasteful given the state of world affairs. My first reaction to initial speculation on a re-imagined late summer/fall schedule was also, “too soon”.

But given the difficulties of putting on major events, the advance planning in these cases appears to be with best case scenarios in mind. If nothing else, the news provides us all a little something to look forward to.

Today In Much-Needed Coronavirus Distraction: Watch Augusta National's 12th Under (Lego) Construction

Well done Lou Stagner and daughter!

Hopefully the charity sale is not blocked by the Lords of Augusta…

My daughter and I built this replica of Augusta National #12 out of Lego.

We are planning to sell it to raise money for charity.

Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/nawBF79W2d

— Lou Stagner (Golf Stat Pro) (@LouStagner) March 17, 2020