Golf to start as allowed

Storms of snow, rain and thunder, along with soaked course conditions regularly affect when golf courses open each spring.

Beyond Mother Nature, a new obstacle has been added this year to delay the joys of drives that travel right down the middle, long putts that end up at the bottom of the cup and fellowship at the 19th hole. The coronavirus could delay players from hitting the links.

While the weather isn’t conducive to open courses and Ozaukee County courses are closed to the public, county Planning and Parks Department Director Andrew Struck said staff members may sell golf IDs and other items over the phone or by email.

“We don’t know what the future will bring as far as opening the courses to the public, but we will be carefully considering the Centers for Disease Control and our Public Health Department recommendations for a future opening and use of the golf courses,” he said in an email.

Courses usually open in late March or early April, with some just for walking — no carts — due to wet conditions.

“We are coordinating with administration and Public Health so that when we do feel course conditions and weather would allow opening, we can have any necessary protocols and precautions in place for addressing Covid-19,” Struck said.

Staff members, he said, have been gearing up for the season by transitioning to the county’s new golf software and doing other preparations.