Open for Business: Great Hope Golf Course booking tee times, social distance measures in place
WESTOVER, Md. – Great Hope Golf Course in Westover, Maryland is officially open for business, and they’re doing everything they can to make sure their safety precautions are up to par.
“I can speak for anybody that has golf course operations, we’re happy to be back up and running after the pause there,” Clint Sterling, Director of Parks and Recreation for Somerset County, said.
The golf course is booking tee times and welcoming golfers back onto the green. But, they’re doing it safely, following guidelines around social distancing and cleaning procedures.
“We’ve taken everything off the course that was normally there for them to be touching from water coolers, to benches, to ball washers, that’s been removed,” Lee Simms, Superintendent of the course, said.
And that’s not all the adjustments they’ve made.
“We’ve made the flags and pins designed so that you don’t have to touch them or remove them, you can pick your balls up out of the cups very easily,” Simms explained.
Officials have taken other measures, as well, including putting plastic barriers to separate the seats inside of golf carts and cleaning the carts between riders. And the safety measures continue inside of the Pro Shop, too.
“We’re actually doing the transactions through the window at the side of the building so it makes it a little bit safer and people don’t have to come inside,” Jack Skilling, PGA Head Golf Professional, said.
So far, officials say things have been smooth sailing, and golfers have been cooperative with the changes.
“People just really happy to get out, Play the course, the course is beautiful we’ve had a really nice spring here,” Simms said.
But officials say, should any issues arise, they’re happy to remind golfers of the new procedures as we all adjust to a new normal.
“There is a learning curve for all of this, but I would have to say that the majority of the people have been very understanding,” Simms said.
Skilling tells 47 ABC the shop is also open for people to use the bathroom, but they must wear a mask inside at all times.
