Light snow on the ground be damned, several Capital Region golf courses plan to be open as early as Sunday.
Confusion reigned Friday after Empire State Development issued new guidance for golf courses, but subsequent interpretations have led "private operators" to believe that it is OK to allow play.
The ESD guidance stated, in part, "Private operators may permit individuals access to the property so long as there are no gatherings of any kind and appropriate social distancing of six feet between individuals is strictly abided." This led to confusion whether private operators included those whose courses are open to the public.
Saratoga Lake general manager Cailean Mackey wrote to state Sen. Daphne Jordan, R-Halfmoon, whose office reached out to the ESD. Jordan's office said it contacted Michael Yevoli of the ESD for clarification.
"What I can offer is that the new guidance doesn’t prohibit (a) private golf course from allowing people on the course," Jordan's office said in response to Mackey. "It also doesn’t prohibit the activities the course ownership can allow on their course. This is being widely interpreted to include golfing. I also agree with this. If individuals can access and use carts without the need of course employees than that also should be fine."
No riding carts are allowed, and proper social distancing must be maintained to keep a course in compliance.
Schuyler Meadows received a similar explanation from the New York State Club Association, which told members that golf may resume under the following conditions:
- There can be no employees working at the recreational component of the golf operation with the exception of security personnel.
- Security personnel can be delineated by each club (ex. A pro and a head starter) and will be present to enforce social distancing rules.
- No access is permitted to club facilities including but not limited to the club house, pro shop, bag room and locker room.
- No caddies.
- No golf carts (except personal pull carts); you must either carry your own bag or use a pull golf cart.
- All golfers must maintain proper social distancing at all times; this is mandatory, no exceptions.
- Allowing guests is to be determined by the security personnel on the golf course.
- Maintenance personnel are permitted to work on the golf course.
- Clubs are strongly advised to provide a printed copy of the new guidance to security personnel, as local law enforcement may come to a club and not be aware of the new guidance.
The new guidance appears to exclude courses that are owned or operated by city municipalities, counties or the state.
Eagle Crest in Clifton Park, Airway Meadows in Gansevoort, Holland Meadows in Gloversville, and Fox Run in Johnstown are among the public courses that plan to open Sunday. Weather conditions, which included a second straight overnight snow, kept courses from opening Saturday.
Mackay said Saratoga Lake likely won't open until at least April 25 to wrap up some course renovations.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
pdougherty@timesunion.com ■ 518-454-5416 ■ @Pete_Dougherty
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Pete Dougherty has been with the paper since 1986 and is currently the beat reporter for the University at Albany basketball teams and Albany Empire of the Arena Football League. He is a columnist on sports media, golf and bowling, and coordinator for the Times Union's high school football video highlight packages.
He's a native of Bradford, Pa., proud graduate of Penn State and a voter for the Heisman Trophy and the Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame.
Contact him at (518) 454-5416