Los Angeles County will allow golf courses to reopen on Saturday, almost two months after they were shut down because of concerns over the Coronavirus pandemic.
L.A. County is the last in California to allow golf to resume.
“What’s best for other counties may not necessarily be right for Los Angeles County as we are the most densely populated county in the state, our guidelines will certainly look different for others,” L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in announcing that the county would begin reopening later than others.
Barger added social distance guidelines will remain in place, with full details expected to be made public on Friday.
The announcement came on the same day L.A. County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer reported 55 more deaths from the virus and 851 additional people testing positive.
That brought L.A. County’s death toll to 1,367, and its total number of cases to 28,644.
Under the county’s plan, there will be only one golfer allowed in a cart without additional charge, flag sticks on greens must remain in the cup and driving range mats must be at least 12 feet apart on driving range, while with fixed partitions must use every other stall.
Each course will also be required to have a “safety ambassador” on site ensure the staff and patrons practice required social distancing, staying at least six feet apart.
“It’s prescriptive where it needs to be and it also allows things that have been subject of controversy,” said Craig Kessler, governmental affairs director for the Southern California Golf Association.
“The key thing is that recreational golf is coming back. It’s coming back because it is perfectly consistent with social distancing practices and you can operate a golf course by eliminating common touch points.”
Golfers will again be able to play such courses as Angeles National Golf Club (pictured) in Sunland, Rustic Canyon Golf Club in Moorpark, Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, Sand Canyon Country Club in Canyon Country, the Oaks Club at Valencia, Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast, Industry Hills Golf Club in the City of Industry, Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena and Los Verdes Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes.
And then there are the fine City of Los Angeles courses, including the Wilson and Harding Golf Courses in Griffith Park, Rancho Park Golf Course, Woodley Lakes Golf Course, Encino Golf Course, Balboa Golf Course and Hansen Dam Golf Course.
