Golf courses in Wisconsin can open for the season starting Friday, April 24.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers set down a list of guidelines when ruling the courses could open despite the extension of the COVID-19 “safer-at-home policy” he ordered extended to May 26.
Wisconsin courses are one exception to Evers’ extension of the Safer at Home order.
Wisconsin golfers must walk their courses, with no golf cart use allowed. Rental push carts and rental clubs will not be available. Restrooms will be closed and there will be no ball washers, benches or bunker rakes on courses. Social distancing requirements must be observed unless players reside in the same home.
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Clubhouses and pro shops will remain closed, but any restaurant and bar facilities can be open under restrictions already in place.
All tee times and payments must be made in advance online or by phone, and tee times will be spaced out to prevent individual golfers or groups from clustering at any place on the course.
Driving ranges and miniature golf courses must remain closed.
The Nemadji Golf Course is slated to open Friday, April 24, with the first tee time at 8:10 a.m., and then every 15 minutes after, said course general manager and pro Tom Beaudry.
The course wintered “really well,” and crews recently were allowed to begin maintenance work, he said.
Norwood Golf Course in Lake Nebagamon has cleanup to do, “but we’re ready to open,” owner Jim Nicholas said. The course will be open for business Friday morning, as will Botten’s Green Acres in Lake Nebagamon, Hidden Greens North in Solon Springs, Poplar and Pattison Park.
Northern Pines in Iron River was unsure if they were going to open this weekend. An answering phone message said the course is still working out the restrictions and asks patrons to check their website ( northernpinesgolf.com ) for updates.
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Norwood has cut-up swimming noodles in the cups on greens, allowing the ball to drop in about an inch and golfers can retrieve their balls with a putter, Nicholas said, adding that he’s heard some courses may not use flagsticks and leave cups above the ground. Putts that hit the cup would be considered in.
Courses that do not have the ability to take online payments may have to get creative.
“If I can’t open the clubhouse, I might have to go on the honor system for most of the people,” Nicholas said.
The Norwood course will eventually sell food to-go, and Nicholas said he’s unsure why clubhouses must remain closed while food service is allowed.
“I see absolutely no difference between collecting green fees or buying to-go food the way restaurants are doing it,” Nicholas said. “When people go to a restaurant they’re going into the building, up to the counter and giving them money.”
Beaudry said he’s pleased courses can open and that operations will adjust as the season progresses.
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DIVOTS: Golf courses in Minnesota were able to open on Saturday, April, 18. … Northland Country Club in Duluth is open, while Enger Park is scheduled to open Friday. … It was announced Monday that Lester Park Golf Course will not open this season due to a budget shortfall.
Under Evers' revised order golf courses can open if:
- Golf carts are prohibited
- Social distancing requirements are upheld
- Tee times and payments are made online or over the phone
- Clubhouses and pro shops stay closed
- Restaurants are open for only takeout orders
- Tee times are spaced out
- All maintenance work and groundskeepers must comply with restrictions outlined in the governor's order. All other functions may only continue under minimum basic operations.
- Driving ranges, putting greens and miniature golf courses remain closed
- No ball washers or sand rakes.
Tom Larson of the News Tribune contributed to this report
Area Golf Courses
Botten’s Green Acres — 715-374-2567
Hidden Greens (Solon Springs) — 715-378-2300
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Nemadji Golf Course — 715-394-0266.
Norwood — 218-393-4653
Northern Pines — 715-372-5260
Pattison Park — 715-399-2489.
Poplar — 715-364-2689
