MOUNT VERNON – One day after declaring golf courses non-essential, and thus ordering them closed until April 6, the Ohio Department of Health reversed its decision.
The ODH announced Saturday in an email to local health commissioners that it has softened its stance on golf courses amid the coronavirus outbreak. The ODH decided over the weekend that golf courses, when operated in compliance with the state’s stay-at-home order (which includes stringent health/safety protocol), can be classified as “outdoor recreation opportunities,” which are listed as essential under the order.
In its email to local health commissioners, obtained by Knox Pages, the ODH acknowledged that “many of you have been receiving questions about the question of golfing and golf clubs.” The ODH offered a statement that local health departments can use when responding to golf course inquiries.
“If your golf course is operating as an outdoor recreation opportunity and abiding by all of the order’s social distancing requirements, there is likely not a health concern,” the statement read. “However, if the golf course is operating other businesses as part of the operations (restaurants, clubhouse, spa, driving range, putting and practice greens, etc.), then you should be prepared to explain why you deem those business operations essential.
“Remember, if you are running an essential business, you have a responsibility to make sure that physical distancing and other protective measures are being adhered to.”
The ODH came to a much different conclusion Friday, when state officials told local health commissioners on a conference call that golf courses had been deemed non-essential.
Golf courses had previously fallen into the gray area of the state’s stay-at-home order – defined neither as “prohibited” nor “essential” – and confusion ensued last week over whether or not they should be in operation during the coronavirus outbreak.
Courses across the country have closed in recent weeks due to safety concerns. Eleven states have chosen to close golf courses amid the outbreak, including Michigan and Illinois, according to GolfDigest.com.
The ODH offered the following rationale for its decision to close golf courses last Friday:
“We have said from the beginning that we will not interpret the order for specific businesses,” ODH Press Secretary Melanie Amato said at the time. “However, after review of the issue and the latest information, ODH would advise that the business of operating golf courses and their clubhouses are non-essential under the intent of the director’s stay-at-home order.”
It’s unclear, as of Monday, what changed state officials’ minds over the weekend. The ODH has not responded to questions about its thought process.
Knox County Health Commissioner Julie Miller said that after learning of the state’s decision on Friday, she felt uneasy about ordering golf courses closed.
“I wasn’t real excited about doing it after the call on Friday that we had…” Miller said. “It bothered me because I always thought golf was an outdoor activity, it can be controlled… and it’s something people enjoy.”
After the state announced its new stance on golf courses Saturday, Miller called other local health commissioners to see how they planned to handle the change. The state has long maintained that local health departments would be charged with interpreting and enforcing the stay-at-home order.
Miller said most local health commissioners came to the same conclusion.
“Most of them are not touching it,” she said. “Most of them are keeping them open.”
Miller decided to fall in line, and on Sunday, she and Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville (the health department’s legal counsel) drafted a letter to local golf course owners – first, apologizing for the confusion that’s clouded the industry over the last week, then outlining the state’s new stance and how it would be interpreted at the local level.
In the letter, obtained by Knox Pages, Miller told local golf course owners they will be allowed to reopen their businesses on Monday, as long as they meet the following safety requirements:
- Designate six-foot physical/social distances in between golfers
- Have hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available for employees and customers
- Golf carts should not carry more than one person at a time and should be disinfected after each use
- Golf clubs or other golf equipment that belongs to the course and used by customers should be routinely disinfected after use
- Have the ability to communicate hours of operation via online and remotely to the public
Miller also emphasized that if local courses are operating restaurants, clubhouses, spas, driving ranges, or putting and practice greens, in addition to the golf course itself, “then you should be prepared to explain why you deem those business operations essential.”
Knox Public Health will conduct random inspections of local golf courses, Miller said, “to assist you in meeting the requirements and to ensure that your responsibility as an essential business is met.”
Knox Public Health received complaints last week about several local golf courses, Miller said. People were concerned about two or more people riding in a cart, and groups walking closely together.
Still, Miller said she felt comfortable allowing golf courses to reopen this week.
“I feel like it’s a controllable situation,” she explained.
Unlike other sports, such as baseball or basketball, golf does not draw a crowd. It is far easier to control social distancing and cleanliness in golf than it is in other sports, she said.
Local golf course owners received Miller’s letter Sunday evening. It’s unclear how soon they will be able to reopen, given the rapid change in circumstances.
There are eight golf courses in Knox County and approximately 800 in Ohio.
Miller asked the public to be patient with state and local health departments as they make major decisions amid the coronavirus outbreak. She called the situation “fluid” and noted that it’s a new experience for many in leadership.
“I think they’ve been doing excellent on communication,” Miller said of ODH. “They’re doing the best they can with what they’ve got and they’re moving on to the next thing. We’re all learning.”
