Some Illinois golf officials say it's time to open courses

With the world dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, we can still get on airplanes. Or go to Home Depot. Or to the grocery store.

Residents in Arizona and Florida can still golf. As can those in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and - beginning April 24 - Wisconsin.

But not in Illinois.

It's a decision that has frustrated many in the industry as they stare at empty fairways and cash registers.

"You have courses that are open literally right over the border ... and we're operating under two separate sets of rules," said Andy Mickelson, the director of golf at Mistwood who is on the board of directors at the Illinois PGA. "It doesn't quite make sense to me."

Illinois' courses were going to remain open after Gov. J.B. Pritzker's shelter-in-place order took effect, but that decision was quickly reversed. The Illinois Municipal League and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity released a joint statement March 27, which said golf is not considered an essential business "under the executive order."

"I just look at it from a practicality standpoint," Mickelson said. "I go into a Walmart and there's hundreds of people within a 60,000- to 70,000-square-foot space, and I've got 200 acres where I can put 100 people out there reasonably spaced. ...

"During this time, where mental and physical health are an issue, we have something that people can solve both of those problems with. I really wish that we could see this through that lens."

State Rep. Grant Wehrli, a Naperville Republican, says he hopes Pritzker will "take a strong look at how we can get people back outside" very soon.

"You have to social distance at least 300 yards while on a golf course," Wehrli said, who pointed out courses are owned by private parties as well as units of government. "Revenues are way down. We need to facilitate not only helping them on the business side, but people just need to get outside and enjoy some things in their lives that they used to.

"I think golf could be one of the (first) things that we reopen as a state."

At his Saturday news conference, Pritzker said he would like courses and state parks to open soon, but is relying on "epidemiologists and the experts here in Illinois," as well as advice from others outside the state. "I'll make decisions about that as the data presents itself."

Two sources said the governor's office has been in communication with the Allied Golf Associations in Illinois - as recently as this past weekend - to put a plan together to reopen courses. Details have not yet been finalized.

State Sen. Don DeWitte, a St. Charles Republican, said he has been supportive of the measures taken by Pritzker. As the weather improves, DeWitte believes those running the state can prove to its residents that they "can walk and chew gum.

"With reasonable conditions there would be no reasons to not reopen golf courses across the state," DeWitte said.

Mickelson and Oak Meadows head pro Jamie Nieto, who is also on the IPGA board, both believe people congregating along the Chicago lakefront and in parks on gorgeous days in late March were a big reason courses were closed. Several courses were packed during those days as well, which didn't help.

Now that nearly a month has passed, however, Nieto believes everyone has gotten used to social distancing and understands what parameters must be followed so that golfers can again hit the links.

"The governor asked a lot of citizens of Illinois to make an adjustment overnight," Nieto said. "It's not always easy to flip a switch and have the ability to go to work and play golf and go to the movies taken away. It was tough, but more people have adjusted to it, so it might be a little easier now."

Mickelson said had Mistwood been allowed to open he was prepared to:

• Have tee times in intervals of at least 10 minutes

• Not allow carts or access to the pro shop

• Send groups off as twosomes only

• Accept all payments online

• Sanitize washroom every hour

"We weren't the only one," Mickelson said. "There were a number of places that were taking the same precautions."

Whenever courses do open, it's safe to assume they will be asked to ease back into things. Nieto said carts may be single-rider only for a while after the walking-only edict is lifted. He also wouldn't be surprised to see standard tee time spacing. That could mean every 10, 12 or 15 minutes.

DeWitte would like to see this happen May 1.

"Most golfers who are intelligent enough to realize the situation we're in would not see that as a detriment to wanting to get out and get some exercise and try to get a round of golf in," he said. "(Same goes for) hiking in a park, camping in a campsite - whatever the case may be. I'm hoping all of those issues can be taken care of in one action."

From a revenue standpoint, April, October and November are important for many courses. Throw in the fact golf could suffer this summer with millions unemployed across the country and it becomes an even dicier situation.

Nieto remains optimistic.

"When (golfers are) given the opportunity to play, they're gonna play."