Golf In A Plague Year April 22: Openings

Golf In A Plague Year April 21: Openings

In spite of the Michigan Governor’s stay at home order, a few courses are opening in Mid April.

As reported by the Detroit News, private clubs Red Run, Plum Hollow and Indianwood have told their memberships that they may play the course with restrictions. Social media photos and reports make me believe that other private clubs also are open.

In addition, it seems that a few public clubs are allowing seasonal members to play.

The loophole in the order seems to revolve around whether course facilities are open for business. At the courses that allow players, clubhouses, driving ranges, locker rooms, snack shops, golf shops, bathrooms and bag rooms remain closed.

Courses are walking only. That eliminates the need for staff to maintain the carts.

Lack of staff — who are not deemed “essential” — is why memberships are the key to opening. Since members are prepaid and walking, there is no need for interaction with staff. Players show up, get in line (with strict distances observed) and tee off. No staff required.

On course restrictions also are in play. At one course I’m familiar with, the holes are filled with slices of pool noodles. Players are under strict orders to not touch the flagsticks (not that anyone would want to under these circumstances). There are no rakes, ball washers, tee markers or indeed, anything else people could touch. Players are warned on an instruction sheet to maintain strict social distancing.

Once on the course, you are certainly far less likely to catch the Covid than you are in, say, one of the liquor, lottery, or pot shops that remain open.

The plans for opening courses likely require more than a little bit of benign neglect on the part of local authorities. I am certain that the local constabulary could — if they were inclined — swoop onto a course and issue tickets to all concerned. I would not be at all surprised, however, if the private clubs’ lawyers have cleared it under the table with local prosecutors.

An article from last week from WZZM 13 indicates that the Kent County Prosecutor, at least, is disinclined to go after golfers.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said there is a small exception that makes this acceptable. 

The Attorney General’s office still stands firm on the ban, saying that ” golf courses – whether public or private – may not be open to golfers.” Golf courses need to be closed for business, Becker says that’s pretty clear. But closed means no employees taking money and no carts out on the lawn.

“However I do not think we can prevent people from walking on them, or if they are walking with their clubs and playing the course, if the course approves,” he said, emphasizing the club must give permission. “I have had a number of questions on this; some country clubs for example have stated we are closed, we don’t have any carts, but you are a member you can walk and play if you want. I do not think we can stop this.”

Michigan’s Puritans no doubt will be outraged at the prospect of some playing golf while there still are lives to be saved. The proclamations of Lord Protector Cromwell Whitmer must be followed as gospel. Witch Hunters are on the prowl, reporting their neighbors for flying on broomsticks not wearing masks or maintaining proper distance. As H.L. Mencken said, “Puritanism is the haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy.” Puritans were willing to burn you at the stake to save your soul.

Similar outrage from the Restorationists Right demands that the Ancien Régime be restored, regardless of cost. They are looking for a “divinely ordained miracle” to bring back the world they knew. (“Divinely oriented miracle” is how contemporaries described the restoration of Charles II after the English Civil War). After society shattering events, such a Civil War (or plague), to think that things can just return to “normal” is folly.

Most Michiganders are capable of holding two thoughts in their heads at once. You do not have to be either a Puritan or a Restorationist. Distancing works and I practice it. I also think it is time to lay out a plan for restoring the economy.

I fortunately am privileged enough to be able to stay at home. Many others are not, however, and increasingly desperate financial straits will lead to ever great numbers taking their chances with the law and breaking quarantine. Haphazard and undisciplined civil disobedience will not end well.

The Governor needs to offer a plan for reopening, not more threats of remaining closed. She needs to give people a chance at agency over their own lives and offer hope that the current situation will not be extended indefinitely.