Some courses have remained closed, but among those open are Oak Quarry Golf Club (pictured) and Indian Hills Golf Club, both in Riverside. Golfers should call ahead to make sure the course they want to play has reopened.
The closing of golf courses has been a point of contention between the county and the golfers and golf courses in the county, which wanted to limit large gatherings of people that can happen in golf course clubhouses, restaurants and bars.
Golfers have argued, apparently successfully, that the sport allows for social distancing and with proper limitations can be played safely. They also argued that the sport is a recreation such as hiking or walking and should be treated as such by the county.
In the new county order, golfers must wear face coverings at all times. In addition, food and beverage facilities at golf courses cannot provide in-clubhouse dining, only delivery and pick-up serve.
The order also insists that courses follow the “Park and Play: Making Your Course Social Distance Ready” program developed by the National Golf Courses Owners Association. That requires six feet of distance between players except for household members.
Ventura County released a statement saying that public and private golf courses can reopen with some restrictions, with no more than four golfers allowed to play in one group.
“We are positioned to focus on the road to reopening because our residents and businesses have sacrificed so much to comply with the Public Health Orders and slow the spread of the virus in our community,” Ventura County CEO Mike Powers said in a statement.
“Our current situation is further strengthened by the work of our local hospitals to expand their capacity. These steps are critical because we know that, while the virus poses an unprecedented health threat, efforts to stem the virus come at a significant economic and health toll as we have seen with so many business closures and lost jobs.”
As of Monday, Ventura Country had by far the fewest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in Southern California, with 428 Coronavirus cases and 13 fatalities.
“Hopefully, it brings some sanity back to your life in a safe and orderly way,” General Manager Keith Brown of Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai said.
Orange County supervisors voted in a meeting that was streamed live online that courses in the county can reopen.
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