Another sign of normalcy returning to South Bend will come Tuesday when the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame reopens to both the university community and the general public. The course, which hosted the 2019 U.S. Senior Open, has been closed since in-person classes were suspended because of the COVID-19 outbreak in mid-March. This action was taken despite golf courses being allowed to remain open in Indiana during the shutdown.
As with golf courses in other areas, steps will be taken to promote cleanliness and social distancing. Groups will tee off every 12 minutes instead of the usual 10 so they can be spaced out more. Clubs and pull carts cannot be rented, and ball washers and bunker rakes will be removed. Golf carts will be sanitized after each usage, flagsticks must stay in place, and cup inserts will allow holed balls to descend only 1 inch.
Additional protocols for the parking lot, starter’s cottage, driving range and other areas are listed when you click on the linked story. It may not be completely what regulars are used to, but it’s better than no golf at all. Stay safe, and have fun.