Denton County Judge Andy Eads said the amendment comes after he had an April 9 video conference call with the chief operating officer of the Professional Golfers' Association of America and about 30 golf course owners and general managers. During the call, the members of the meeting agreed that if golf courses were reopened, they would establish strict rules of operation in alignment with social distancing guidelines issued by public health officials.
“We have worked with the PGA of America and our golf course owners to reach a mutual agreement on how we can allow golfers the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of exercise through recreational walking on golf courses while still upholding our efforts to flatten the curve during this pandemic,” Eads said.
Eads said it is vital that all golfers and employees adhere to the rules and regulations that come along with reopening the golf courses.
“From the beginning, our priority has been to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” he said. “We ask all golfers to maintain the integrity of the game and to be examples of social distancing while on the golf course. During this time, we do not want to have to police the golfers or golf courses. Our efforts to manage our response to the pandemic need to be on the county as a whole.”
The county’s stay-at-home order, which has been in effect since 11:59 p.m. March 25, mandates that residents stay home except to perform specific essential activities, to work to provide essential business and government services or to perform essential public infrastructure construction, including that of housing. The order is in effect through April 30.
A full list of the rules and regulations for reopened golf courses can be found here.
