Iowa golf courses remain open as COVID-19 closes businesses

DES MOINES, Iowa — Golf courses across Iowa remain open as COVID-19 closes numerous businesses, schools and nonessential facilities throughout the state.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said golf courses can remain open because golfers can practice social distancing.

On Tuesday, temperatures in the 80s brought central Iowans out to Waveland Golf Course in Des Moines.

“It's just a great opportunity when you're stuck at home,” said Bob Anderson, who visited Waveland Golf Course Tuesday. “(It’s a) way to get out and do some exercise and enjoy your day without infecting other people or possibly getting infected.”

Waveland Golf Course said it is taking additional precautions to ensure golfer stay safe and healthy. A list of the Waveland's COVID-19 precautions can be found here.

“They're doing a good job inside keeping people separate,” Anderson said. “They don't let us touch the flags. They've got foam rubber at the bottom for the ball bounce offs so you don't have to take the stake out.”

Each golfer at Waveland is getting their own cart unless they are golfing with family. The carts are also sanitized before and after rounds.

Golfer Thomas Cummings said he is happy to see the additional precautions.

“My wife is actually immunocompromised, so I really appreciate what everybody's doing,” Cummings said.

KCCI asked the Office of the Governor what would happen if golfers failed to abide by social distancing guidelines.

A spokesperson for the governor said it is the golf course owner's responsibility to remind golfers to practice social distancing.

Source:  KCCI.com