Yale course to open Monday

The Yale Golf Course will finally open on Monday after being closed all year. New course general manager Peter Palacios indicated the official opening in an email to members Thursday afternoon.

That email was obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media.

Palacios had notified course members on Sept. 15 that the 28th was the tentative opening. In an August email announcing Palacios’ hire, Yale athletic director Vicky Chun had targeted a mid- to lateSeptember opening. Yale Golf Course has been closed since last November.

“We look forward to having professional, onsite management in place to provide the Yale Golf Course with the time and attention it deserves as we operate and devise a path forward,” Chunn stated in the email. “Please note, however, that after years of physical and financial neglect, multiple personnel changes, COVID-19 restrictions and most recently tropical storm damage, this will take time.”

The course, ranked No. 1 by Golfweek among collegiate courses last year, will open just 17 holes on Monday. According to the email’s Reopening Guidelines, the par-3 9th hole will be closed “due to construction on the dam.” Because of that, all rounds will begin on the 10th hole.

The driving range, putting green, clubhouse and pro shop will also remain closed.

The course will be taking mandatory online reservations up to 72 hours in advance from Connecticut residents only. Carts will be available for use, but face coverings will be needed during that usage.

Flagsticks will remain in the holes. Foam inserts are in each hole to help remove the ball from the cup. Hand sanitizer stations will be available on the 10th tee and at different points on the course.