by Jim Buzzerd
Checking in
It’s Tuesday morning and I’ve been sitting here for nearly 40 minutes with no idea how to proceed. There are no sports to discuss. I could lament that last night should have been the NCAA National Championship game to conclude March Madness. I could lament that yesterday should have been the first day of Master’s week, but I’m going to stop there with the whining because we’re all several weeks into this Coronavirus pandemic and missing sports events is small on the list of concerns.
I’ve been hunkered down in South Carolina for just over two weeks. South Carolina is one of the last states to mandate stay at home policies, but that changes at 5 p.m. this evening. So far, golf courses here are still allowed to operate, though their ownership groups have temporarily shut some down. I know the governor has closed Maryland golf courses a couple weeks ago. I’ve heard West Virginia golf courses are still operating in various limited capacities.
Cacapon is currently allowing walking for no charge. That’s the best deal I’ve heard.
The argument to keep courses open here, or anywhere, seems to have merit. It is possible to practice social distancing and play golf. The course I frequent here has instituted policies to encourage social distancing while on the course. There is no sharing of golf carts. All players must ride single, or walk. Players are encouraged to leave the flagsticks in to minimize touching it.
I played the course Sunday and the cups had been outfitted with a circular piece of foam that allows the ball to go in the hole, but prevents it from going all the way down. This ingenious idea allows the player to pick up the ball without touching the flagstick.
That’s all for now. The appearance of this column will become intermittent until there is light at the end of the tunnel.
