Not all are on board with ‘no golf ’ edict
Reports say some golfers are sneaking onto public courses
Doug Chevrier, just as many golfers in New Mexico, is disappointed that golf courses have been shut down for over a week because of the coronavirus pandemic and because of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s stay-at-home order.
Golf was not listed among essential businesses, yet the upkeep of the courses is essential and has kept some maintenance workers employed.
Chevrier, 73, wrote a letter to Lujan Grisham on Wednesday expressing to her that golf is essential in that it can relieve stress — and for Chevrier, it is his only form of exercise, which he gains from walking the course.
He believes there is greater risk for a trip to the grocery store than playing 18 holes.
“It was a big disappointment that they shut down the golf courses,” said Chevrier, who normally plays twice a week with a couple friends on each of the Albuquerque municipal courses. “There are no big groups. I don’t know where they got their information that it would be a danger to include that kind of outdoor recreation as being non-essential.”
Chevrier and his friends planned to play at Arroyo del Oso Golf Course on Wednesday, but yellow tape blocking the entrance and a security guard patrolling the area ended those plans. However, there have been people sneaking onto courses recently to try to play a few holes, local professionals said.
A golfer who did not want to be named told the Journal he played at Tanoan Country Club, a private course, on Tuesday.
Courses on the pueblos, Santa Ana, Sandia and Isleta, remain closed.
“The City is aware of a few reports of golfers trying to play at Arroyo del Oso,” Philip
Clelland, Albuquerque city parks and recreation public information officer, said in an email. “We have posted signs around all our courses and restricted access to the parking lots. City security will be patrolling the courses and removing any trespassers from the premises.”
Golfers in New Mexico are also frustrated because courses remain open in several states, including Arizona.
About 75% of public golf courses in the U.S. remain open during the coronavirus pandemic, said Jason White, Sun Country Section PGA president. He cautioned that number was given earlier this week, and cities and states enact closures almost daily.
The Sun Country’s stance at this time is to be a partner of the state and its decisions, he said. The Sun Country Section PGA is the golf governing body for staff and courses in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.
“We understand our leaders and the position that they’re in and the difficult task that they have as far as health and safety and keeping the economy going,” White said. “When it’s deemed appropriate we feel that we can provide a safe environment, considering the open spaces and recreation and things that are allowable right now. But it’s not our decision to make.
“What we’re trying to do is provide information at the state level, communicating with what is going on across the nation, best practices, things that we are willing to do.”
White is fully confident that the professionals and staff will be ready to resume their duties when they receive word it is OK to reopen.
Yet, for now, many will be out of a job, laid off for now, and the courses will continue to lose money.
The Albuquerque municipal courses, for example, had been struggling with rounds of play last year, yet had seen numbers pick up this year.
According to information provided by Clelland and the city, from Feb. 15 to March 14, the four municipal courses generated $475,046 from green fees, food and beverage, golf carts and banquet reservations.
Last year in March, the courses made $556,921, and in April of 2019 they made $638,740. The private courses are hurting too. Albuquerque Country Club laid off 90% of its staff and will lower membership monthly fees in April, said Lea Meier, the ACC general manager. ACC’s maintenance staff was cut in half, down to eight, she said.
“All of our members are of the opinion that we should be open,” Meier said. “Everybody wants to be outside and they don’t understand why they can’t use their (golf course) . ... I would love it to have it open for them but we don’t want to do anything wrong to jeopardize the club. When we open, we want to open strong and financially sound.”
Not everyone in New Mexico is on board for reopening golf courses. A Twitter poll of 139 voters revealed that 70 want courses to remain closed.
Count Gerome Espinoza as those who want the courses to reopen. The Paradise Hills Golf Course pro saw how his staff operated for a couple of weeks before the closures came last week and it was safe.
Many golfers like Espinoza strongly believe the sport is safe, especially when it comes to social distancing. He admitted that he tried to play a few holes at UNM North on Sunday, he said about 15-20 others were also trying to do the same.
“Most golf courses are on 160 acres or up to 250 acres, very open,” he said. “But it is a little bit scary, I guess, because you hear stories (of the coronavirus). But you hear it from both sides.”