Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[WAB]

Wow. Thanks for sharing. Not 100% sure what the Illinois Municipal league is. Does this mean that ALL courses can open if they follow these guidelines?

This Illinois DCEO link still says that courses cannot open: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Documents/Essential%20Business%20FAQ.pdf

[Shriner]

Cog Hill has just opened as well. Looks like logic has won this battle!

[St Jimmy]

I like the idea of raising the cups. I'll be shooting all time lows... :)

[Edsland]

I got a text that Carriage green is open for play walking only

[DavePelz4]

You know I'm as passionate as any guy on this site about playing and the thought of the courses opening gives some hope of a return to normalcy.

But, I'm in healthcare and our teams are on the front line of this battle as we serve the group of individuals who are most susceptible to the dangers of the virus. We've literally spent almost $50,000 so far to protect our clients and team with every precaution you can imagine. This isn't just about who you are in contact with, this virus is like 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon and it's about who the guys you play with and who they have been in contact with, who those people have been in contact with etc. We have 3 of our employees in quarantine right now because several levels of contact prior, they were with someone who tested positive. There are people who are asymptomatic but tested positive and they're carrying the virus which is seen in younger and healthier people.

Play away but just be amazingly careful with spacing and be extra careful with someone who coughs or sneezes. The droplets which appear to be the transmission vehicle can project for 6 feet. Carry some hand sanitizer, just in case. I'd also suggest when you get home, throw your clothes in the washer and take a shower and soap down everywhere.

Apologies if this sounds like an old guy on a soapbox who doesn't want you on his lawn but it's really about you and everyone else being able to golf a month from now, a year from now, etc.

[dhartmann34]

 

[chrisf60526]

Man, im missing golf as much as the next guy but this seems wrong. Shelter in place doesnt mean golf IMO.

[Bubs23]

It’s not like we play pickup basketball. For the record, I’m talking about going out and playing by myself, walking, and not putting at all inside 15 feet.

This isn’t get a foursome together for 18 and beers afterwards, just something to get me out of the house.

[mci711]

@DavePelz4 very well put! The longer we push the boundaries of what we do and what we want to do the longer this will go on. I think everyone agrees for the most part if you do it correctly golf may be ok. But you are putting your faith in a lot of other people as well, and simply put, the population has proven over and over again they can't be trusted to be smart. I watched guys a couple days ago in a 4 some celebrating what I assume was a birdie putt like they had just won a hole at the Ryder Cup. Pin out, high fives all around. (From my balcony)

I think walking and not serving alcohol cuts down on the foolishness that could happen though.

[VNutz]

Anybody else regretting putting off a haircut too long? This is gonna get worse before it gets better.

[Shriner]

No worries, this is a very serious time. Thanks for everything you are doing. However, with walking only, playing outside and everyone staying multiple yards away, this may be one of the safest activities at this moment in time. I am a real estate attorney and this is certainly safer than me going to closings with five other people at the table (which is still happening right now because people need houses apparently).

Hopefully by now, the reality of the situation and the repeated precautions are sinking in with people.

[B-Man]

Yes. Spinal Tap, here we come.

[mci711]

 

Here's the problem. If one of these guys is asymptomatic now all 4 most likely have it (other guy dropped something behind). These 4 guys go home, give it to family and so on. The course is packed. I think it's just a bad idea, especially when grown men don't have the ability to distance themselves a bit. We can talk all day about what we should be dong to make golf safe. The fact is, we are surrounded by idiots.

[chisag]

 

... Isn't that the case for almost everything? We could get rid of at least 1/2 the rules if it weren't for morons trying to cheat. You go to the movies and it only takes a couple of idiots talking to ruin it for everyone else. Obviously this case is intense and vitally important so the masses suffer for the individuals but my guess is, anyone ignorant and selfish enough to not practice social distancing on a golf course is doing the same thing elsewhere. And those that practice social distances can easily play without coming into contact with anyone, especially playing alone. They get the fresh air, exercise and mental escape for a few hours so badly needed. So I kinda see both sides of it.

[mci711]

It wouldn't be the case if only essential businesses were open and more stringent rules were in place. You can't go to the movies right now or sit in a restaurant. I guess if you want to go hang out with friends at the grocery store you can.

[chisag]

... My wife got an invite to play cards and bring a bottle of wine. 8 total and they already had 6 only needing 2 more. She politely declined. Never underestimate the power of stupidity.

[mci711]

It is unfortunate. Good point though, people are going to do what they want I guess.

[chisag]

 

... I would still like to think most people are doing and will do the right thing. But of course it only takes a few bad apples ...

[@_the_crook]

Bittersweet and Ravisloe already emailed about being open starting tomorrow. I'm sure more will follow.

[Marlo989]

This is all set up for me to hit my first ace playing solo with a pvc pipe in the cup so the ball doesn't really go in. I can't live like that. I'll have to pass.

[dhartmann34]

Agreed! They have busted multiple house parties in our area and areas where friends of mine live. People have told me that they've been going to hang out with friends to eat and drink. The problem is certainly the people that are straight up ignoring the social distancing rules. I've seen it at grocery stores, hardward stores, gas stations, and people standing in the neighborhood next to their neighbors. Kids playing with the kids next door. I get it's hard to keep them a part or close off these venues, but these are the spaces people are getting up close and personal.

I also wonder about apartment/condo building ventilation systems and how they may aid in spreading the issue. I don't know exactly how they work, but it seems it might be somewhat of a possibility?

And all the restaurants that people are eating from....if someone working there has it, that could spread like wildfire as they're handing food out a drive thru window. Because as much as I like to think that sanitation rules are being followed to the extreme, the skeptic in me doesn't believe it's true in these food venues.

We were out on the course today. We walked pretty far apart, but I won't say we didn't get within a few feet of each other at times. There were no hand shakes or fist bumps. We didn't share equipment or throw each other's golf balls back to one another when they hit it close enough to give it to them. Cups had Styrofoam in them so that the ball didn't go down more than half an inch. I had hand sanitizer which I used every couple of holes. And off the tee, very rarely were any of us in the same vicinity. I also think the walking and not sharing carts helps a lot as well since that spaces people out too.

The spread of the virus is extremely possibly in many situations. I think that a lot of people are doing a fairly good job of staying in compliance. But I also think there are a group of people that are not staying in compliance in situations that they can completely control (house parties, birthday parties, watching movies together, hanging out in parks, etc...) . I'm not one to think golf courses are going to be the way that this virus spreads quickly, but I'm also not one that is up close and personal on my partners during the round. But I've also seen that Illinois is trying to close up courses again. :-(

I don't doubt the stupidity of people. I've seen it far before Carona came around. I just don't think that courses open for walking are much of a threat if people are half smart about things. But I guess the belief they'll be half smart about things is the hard part.

And what also bothers me is the fact that courses were hurt badly by rain both early and late in the season last year. If this shuts them down until mid - May or later.... I think there are courses already in enough financial stress, that something like that could be the end....and I hate that.

So I guess we just wait to see it all play out.

 

[dhartmann34]

And I got to play Bull Valley today. Good shape for this early in the year. A beast to walk! Such a good course.

[TBone0576]

I really wanted to try to get out this morning by 10 before the rain but couldn't find anything within 30 minutes of Kenosha. No one answering the phone at Shepherds Crook. Wondering if maybe because they are park district they are closed. Thunderhawk closed until late April, Bonnie Brook closed last time I checked and they are run by the city. Only place I found was Bittersweet in Gurnee and they are allowing tee times every 20 minutes. They didn't have an opening until almost 11 and I don't want to run into the rain coming early afternoon. They are asking $35 to walk which I thought was a little steep as well but they are allowed to set the market so there is that. If anyone knows any far north Lake County courses that are operating please let me know. Weather looks crappy this weekend but I am working from home the next month so I should have some flexibility during the week when the weather looks good.

[DavePelz4]

Hi again...Mr. Safety here. If you've never watched Scrubs, it's one of the best comedies out there that occasionally has a tone of seriousness to it. One of the episodes years ago had a great scene on how germs are spread. Not trying to scare anyone here but offering this as a public service announcement so you understand how easily a virus like what we're facing can spread by contact. It's less than 2 minutes and let's be honest, you've got the time to take a peek.

[DavePelz4]

Sadly, there isn't much to cut.

[Argonne69]

Lol. I finally got tired of paying $25 for 5 minutes of work on my mostly bald head. I picked up a Remington haircut kit, and it's saved me over $200 in the past few years. Of course, one has to like a simple style. Amazon.com: Remington HC4250 Shortcut Pro Self-Haircut Kit, Beard Trimmer, Hair Clippers for Men (13 pieces): Beauty

[WAB]

Apparently courses have to close again:https://iml.org/file.cfm?key=18402

[taylorx300]

http://www.cdga.org/detail.asp?id=718

[Edsland]

Kind of sad, but liquor stores are considered essential

[geochitown]

I’m setting a personal record over here