Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert preparing to reopen with restrictions
At Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert a grounds keeper mowed the fairway while people walked and rode bikes on the cart paths.
Read: Coachella Valley golf courses officially back open
But, golf is not being played and the patio tables are empty.
General Manager Derek White is ready for that to change.
“As a golfer myself we are certainly really excited about the possibility of being able to reopen,” said White.
White says he and his 140 employees have mostly been on the sidelines since April 2nd, when county health officials ordered the course closed, along with all other public and private courses in the county.
With more than 140 courses in the valley area alone, the closures are hitting hard the thousands of people who work in the industry.
“Yeah I’m pretty excited. We are really excited to get our staff back again and excited to get people playing again. That’s what we are in the business to do,” said White.
When the course reopens, White says most of his staff will be back on the job. Those who aren’t are seasonal employees who would not be working anyway this time of year, with the usual drop off in players when the weather turns warmer.
To ensure the safety of players, the county plan would most likely require courses adopt the “Park and Play” approach, developed by the National Golf Course Owner’s Association.
Park and Play is a comprehensive list of minimum recommended precautionary measures for courses to take, aligned with CDC recommendations aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus among players and golf course employees.
“We want them to have fun but be safe at the same time, and understand we have to protect the employees who work in those areas,” said Ronnie Miles, Director of Advocacy for the NGCOA.
Golfers we spoke with say they are ready and raring to go, while still taking steps to protect themselves and others.
“That’s great news. My husband is really bored out of his mind with no golf,” said part-time Palm Desert resident Gina Sukonik.
