Coming off one of the mildest winters in recent years, most people in the golf business were full of hope that golf courses would be cashing in after early openings, some coming in early March.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has changed the rules of the game, forcing the closure of all Massachusetts golf courses as of March 23 following Gov. Charlie Baker’s executive order, after deeming golf a non-essential service.
Not so fast, said the nine-member Alliance of Massachusetts Golf Organizations (AMGO), which sprang into action.
“We had sent a letter to the governor on March 20 asking that the golf courses be allowed to remain open as an essential business,” said Mass Golf CEO and Executive Director Jesse Menachem. “We took a proactive approach
as golf is a $2.7 billion business in Massachusetts with more than 25,500 employees.”
After receiving no response, AMGO regrouped and sent a second letter after the executive order.
“We focused on making golf course maintenance a priority, bundling it under the landscaping exemption,” said Menachem. “We made a strong case that these are essential assets and vital to the golf industry. We got a positive response the next day.”
Without even routine maintenance a golf course can literally go to seed in no time.
“If you did nothing for four to six weeks, you’ll start losing greens and that could be $50,000-$70,000 per green to rebuild,” said Steve Murphy, who, along with Golf Facilities Management, Inc. partner Chris Carter, manages Gannon GC, Beverly G & T and Hillview GC.
The decision, while vital to golf course survival, left many privately and municipally-owned golf courses dependent on daily-fee revenue between a rock and a hard place. Unlike member-owned golf courses, which typically have already banked some portion of member dues, no golf means no revenue for courses dependent on green fees.
“I’m disappointed because if there was any recreational activity that is suited for social distancing, it’s golf,” said Murphy. “Nobody is within six feet of each other. Social distancing is a part of the game. The impact for us is devastating.”
GFMI has all nine of its full-time employees on staff, pooling them into one team that rotates among the three courses. The game plan is to set the stage for a quick turnaround when the ban is lifted.
“That’s the good news, but the bad news is we are facing an unprecedented financial hardship,” said Carter. “We’ve applied for a loan under the stimulus bill, but nobody knows when that money will come through.”
At Nahant GC, the parking lot has been roped off. At Cedar Glen in Saugus, the parking lot is a ghost town, while at Reedy Meadow and King Rail Reserve in Lynnfield, the parking lots are blocked off and empty.
Over at Salem Country Club in Peabody, management has stepped up to address the hardships the city’s first responders are facing.
Last week, the club began offering curbside takeout meals to members of the Peabody Police Department on Wednesdays and the Fire Department on Thursdays.
“It’s spectacular what they are doing, I just couldn’t believe it when Lisa Beloff reached out to us,” said Peabody Fire Chief Joseph L, Daly. “It’s fantastic they are even offering their full menu. That their Executive Board and members are doing this is just another example of how Salem has always been such a strong partner for the city. I am proud to be associated with them.”
Day said the service has been offered to up to 20 employees each of the two days.
One COVID-19 golf casualty is Peabody Golf Day, a day when city residents and employees pay a modest fee to play a round of golf at Salem. The tournament raíses money for the Joseph O’Boyle Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to seven high school seniors who live in Peabody. This year’s event, scheduled for May 18, has been postponed and the sign-up day (April 27) has been canceled.
“We haven’t made any final decisions yet, but we are hoping to get a fall date,” said co-tournament organizer Byron Mahoney. “The reality was we just couldn’t pull it off logistically, especially with the registration being in person, but we are still committed to giving the scholarships.”