THE GREAT GOLF COURSE DEBATE: Is golf essential during COVID-19?

WAXAHACHIE – Is golf an essential business during the Texas lockdown due to COVID-19?

Some would say yes. Some would say no.

The Texas Attorney General made the final decision last Monday when he said some parts of a golf course are essential.

After all, physical activity is important when residents are asked to stay home to stay safe.

Since golf is a sport designed as physical activity just like jogging or running – not like the gym – it has been deemed that golf courses may stay open.

The essential parts of the golf course are important – such as the restaurant offering take-out and delivery, and landscapers maintaining the grounds for individuals using the golf course to stay active.

Locally, the Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris got into the thick of it last week on this issue.

The golf course had been told to shut down by Ellis County Judge Todd Little. While Judge Little did not get back with details by press time, City of Ferris officials said the judge had contacted the city along with other cities in Ellis County and said their golf courses must be shut down, too.

A large contingent then swooped in on the Ferris golf course for a meeting of the minds.

From the emergency management coordinator, to Judge Little (also the emergency management director), to the judge’s chief of staff to Ferris Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Scott and Ellis County Sheriff Chuck Edge – all descended on the Old Brickyard Golf Course last week to decide what to do.

It was determined the Old Brickyard’s owner should contact the state’s emergency management division to get a decision on whether golf courses were considered essential during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The golf course in Ferris is a great example of how fluid this situation is. The last word I got was that the Attorney General’s office put out a letter that the City of Ferris is now reviewing, and they will make a decision,” said Sheriff Edge. “It seems to me that the owners/operators are complying with all of the CDC guidelines for social distancing.”

Monday afternoon, the Attorney General’s office made the decision and said that all golf courses could stay open.

But like Sheriff Edge said, these issues are in constant flux.

“Ferris’ Brickyard Golf Course came under scrutiny after the Ellis County’s stay home, stay safe order was issued,” said Ferris City Manager Brooks Williams. “It is our understanding from the county judge and Ellis county emergency management that social media pressure and attention was placed on the county with the course being opened.”

Williams said the owner of the Brickyard was more than willing to comply with any order in place, but was unable to get confirmation that golf courses were essential or non-essential.

Williams said he believed the disconnect seemed to come from the county judge’s office (along with emergency management) and the sheriff’s department who both were unsure of the golf courses’ status in order to stay open.

“To be fair and to be clear, this is no one’s fault as the clarity around COVID orders haven’t been clear,” Williams added. “With the ruling from the AG, there is now clarity and we are all on the same page.”

Ferris Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Scott said, “We don’t want to close anything, but we have to comply.”

And comply was what everyone seemed to want to do.

For now, golfers can play golf at the local golf courses if social distancing rules are adhered to and public health instructions are followed.