The county’s health director pinpointed the outbreak to two golf outings held in July, but no further information was provided about where the events were held. Ninety-six people have been put under mandatory quarantine because of the events, and officials were urging anyone who may have encountered someone who attended them to be tested.
Golf Becomes Popular Substitute to Fill Baseball Void at Minor-League Stadiums
(Golf course at Portland Sea Dogs’ Hadlock Field) Teams in Portland, Maine, Indianapolis, Ind. and Pensacola, Fla. have successfully introduced opportunities to play variations of golf, including chip-and-putt, target golf and disc golf, after the cancellation of all minor-league seasons because of the coronavirus. Former Masters champion Bubba Watson, a minority owner of the Pensacola…
Golf Continues to Thrive as Pandemic Keeps Its Hold Throughout the U.S.
The number of rounds played hasn’t been this high in years—Elaine Feeney at Top of the World Golf Resort in Queensbury, N.Y. said every day there is now like a weekend—but club owners from Maine to Minnesota are still feeling the pinch of lost revenue because of restrictions on events and food-and-beverage operations.
Storied West Hollywood Hotel Converting to a Private Club
Like many other properties, Chateau Marmont, on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Owner Andre Balazs plans to switch over to a members-only facility by the end of the year. Non-members will still be able to make dinner reservations “in certain areas” of the Chateau property.
Button Hole GC Expands Mission With Free Lessons for Kids
The Providence, R.I. non-profit, public facility has always been dedicated to providing a short course and teaching center focused on youth golf for children of all backgrounds and abilities. This year it is offering free lessons for local kids who belong to Boys and Girls Clubs, which is seen as an especially welcome program for…
Golf Courses Report Surging Numbers During Pandemic
Properties in Indiana, New Mexico and Utah mirror what’s being seen nationwide—a considerable increase in rounds played over the last two months. “I think they see that golf is something you can do and do at a safe distance during this pandemic,” said Angie Hasenour, Manager of Huntingburg (Ind.) Country Club.
Virginia Adopts Strict Emergency COVID-19 Standard for Employers
Breaking with federal requirements set by OSHA, Virginia is the first state to impose an emergency temporary standard that establishes requirements for employers to control, prevent, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among employees. Regulations include closing, or tightly controlling access to, common areas like breakrooms and lunchrooms; ensuring that employees observe physical-distancing protocols; and…
Hawaiian Islands Explore ‘Resort Bubbles’ to Allow Quarantiners Out of Hotel Rooms
The state requires trans-Pacific visitors to quarantine in their rooms for 14 days before being allowed out. The proposed option, which would provide freedom to roam within the confines of a ‘geofence,’ is seen as a way to slowly attract visitors again while also putting hospitality workers back to work.
Canadian Government Bans Americans from Aroostook Valley CC
The club has its parking lot and pro shop in Fort Fairfield, Maine, but the clubhouse and golf course are across the Canadian border in New Brunswick, which Americans are now banned from crossing. With the crossing station for auto traffic also closed, Canadians can only play the course by finding another way to get…
ClubCorp Devotes Unused Banquet Space to Blood Drives
(Oakmont CC) The management firm has partnered with the American Red Cross to have its properties host events that help fill the urgent need for blood and platelet donations during the pandemic. Already, 2,300 pints have been collected through nearly 100 drives held at more than 50 clubs nationwide, with many more scheduled for coming…
Release of PPP Loan Lists Prompts Flurry of Reports on Clubs That Have—and Haven’t—Used Funds
(Pictured: Ballantyne CC) After news organizations forced the Small Business Administration’s release on June 6th of the list of all organizations that received Paycheck Protection Program funding of more than $150,000, many club GMs and Presidents were contacted for public confirmation that the loan was being used as intended, to avoid layoffs and furloughs. More…
Clubs Forced to Pivot as COVID-19 Cases Trend in the Wrong Direction
Not long ago, our country was doing a solid job of flattening the curve and clubs began the reopening process…cautiously. The tables have turned, however, as club-heavy states like California, Florida and Arizona are seeing major upticks in COVID-19 cases.
Neglect at Kingsway CC Places Heat on Allegiant Travel Company
The Lake Suzy, Fla. club closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nearby residents are upset that the property has become overgrown with weeds, dead grass, fallen palm fronds and other debris. The club was expected to serve as a companion destination to Allegiant’s Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, but that $470 million project…
Employment Lawyers Warn Against Forcing COVID-19 Waivers on Workers
Aside from the likelihood that the waivers won’t hold up in a court of law, experts say they provide workers’ attorneys with ammunition to show that employers are shirking their duty to provide a safe workplace.
Homestead Resort Reopens After Three-Month Shutdown
Although Bath County has remained the only Virginia locality with no coronavirus cases, the historic property in Hot Springs, Va. was closed for exactly three months before a reopening that saw about 150 guests check in on the first day. Employees who had been furloughed for three months by the county’s largest employer also returned.