Golf courses throughout the state are opening up again. Due to the threat of coronavirus, Governor Steve Sisolak ordered all golf courses to close, along with outdoor activities like tennis, soccer and basketball. The governor announced lifted some of those restrictions, Thursday, after three weeks of closures.
"It's wonderful," Mike Mazzaferri, Golf Professional at Sierra Sage Golf Course said. "It's almost like a new golf course here. We worked for three weeks and now we're back open just in time."
Golfers headed to Sierra Sage for the reopening of the course, Friday morning. Most of them seemed to be aware of some of the requirements for golf courses to open, including social distance standards.
"I'm stoked," Mike Lane, Sparks resident said. "I've been waiting to get back out here since the weather started turning nice."
The governor's directive make several mandatory minimum requirements:
Golf Carts and Equipment:
• Only one (1) person per golf cart except for those who reside in the same
household
• Carts must be wiped down with disinfectant spray or wipes BEFORE and AFTER
each round. This includes steering wheels, cart seats, arm rests, cart dashes, cup
holders, gear shifts and cart keys.
• Pull carts and push carts must also be wiped down with disinfectant BEFORE and
AFTER each round.
• Tees, towels, cart coolers, and bottled waters should be removed from carts.
• Sand bottles or scoops should be removed and golf course maintenance staff will
need to address filling divots until further notice.
General Operations:
• Bag room areas will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Pro Shops and clubhouses should be closed and locked. If pro shop is open for
check-in there should not be any merchandise sales, and social distancing
measures must be observed.
• Only take out food and beverages can be served – no in person dining.
• Driving Range hitting stations must be a minimum of six (6) feet apart.
Sierra Sage also has inverted cups in its holes so people do not have to reach into them. Workers use a power washer and a bleach solution to clean the golf carts. It offers 20 golf boards, as well. They are designed for one person.
"We're exceeding that directive now," Mazzaferri said. "We want people to be safe and informed and everybody wants to play. So as long as they can follow our rules and our standards, I think we'll have a go."
Mazzaferri says the golf course lost more than $200,000 during the 22-day closure. He has more than 40 employees. The 15 full-time employees continued to work while it was closed, doing maintenance and landscaping.
"We actually worked 21 of the 22 days," Mazzaferri said. "We only took Easter off and the golf course, I think shows. It's the best it's been in a long time."
The sunny weather was a welcome site for golfers who set tee times for the golf course's reopening.
"I'm super, super happy to be here and really excited to play golf," Chompoo Landt, Reno resident said. "This is my new year season."
"I'm just so excited," Tom Harrison, Sparks resident said. "I'm out here with my son and my grandson, and it's just so nice to be close to them instead of locked up in the house."
Many of the golfers are observing the social distance rules. Some are even wearing face masks. Mazzaferri let golfers know what the rules are before they lined up at the first tee.
"We're telling them, keep your distance and if you make a birdie, celebrate a little bit by touching clubs but no high fives and no handshakes at the end of the round," Mazzaferri said. "That kind of thing."
Sisolak's plan to reopen is still in phase zero. He hopes to allow some nonessential businesses to begin reopening on or before May 15. Mazzaferri hopes resuming golf course operations is a sign of things to come.
"I think if we could give the other businesses some hope, that there is some light at the end of the tunnel and just keep your head down and keep swinging," Mazzaferri said.
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