The list of states allowing golfers to play continues to rise, with Illinois poised to be added to the list.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced Thursday he will extend a modified stay-at-home order beginning May 1 through May 30, which will allow golf courses to reopen but with restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and when ensuring that social distancing is followed,” according to the governor’s press release Thursday.
This follows a pattern of recent openings.
Last week, the NGF said the percentage of open U.S. courses had climbed from roughly 44 to 48 percent. For the week ending April 19, that number rose one more percentage point. And now, NGF says that over 50 percent of courses are open for play.
The number of U.S. #golf courses has continued to inch up over the past several weeks. More than half of public daily fee courses and private clubs are now open for play.
But the biggest changes in the past week were in the municipal sector.https://t.co/AS57DwukIj#golfdata pic.twitter.com/KAk94EvVwZ
— National Golf Foundation (@NGF_GolfBizInfo) April 23, 2020
Michelle Buerkett, co-owner of Long Bridge Golf Course in Springfield, Illinois — the state’s capital — welcomed the anticipated news that she may reopen beginning Friday, May 1 after the DCEO unequivocally ordered golf courses to close on March 26 while allowing golf maintenance and carry-out food service during the suspension.
“We’re just happy May 1 is a date (to reopen),” Buerkett said. “Golf is the most social distancing sport you can come across. There’s not a lot of getting together.”
Buerkett, though, expects clubhouses to remain closed and operate similar to a restaurant with purchases online or over the phone. Golf carts may either be limited to one person or denied altogether.
Contact Bill Welt: 788-1545, bill.welt@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/BillWelt