Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2020 - 35

BACK
PRESIDENT'S
DESK
Looking Ahead
How golf and social
distancing may go hand
in hand
* BY TOM SMITH *
I
have to confess: I love golf. I love everything about it:
the comradery of my playing partners, the beauty of the
course and the fun of friendly competition are all reasons
I feel the way I do about golf. Sadly, efforts to contain
the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and protect
public safety put the playing of our great game on hold here
in Minnesota this spring.
Like other forms of outdoor exercise and recreation, golf
is great for our physical, mental and social health. It is the
view of Minnesota's Allied Golf Associations, that the game
is ideally suited for social distancing as long as golfers and
golf courses honor best practices and industry protocols to
prevent the spread of COVID-19. These protocols are now
in practice in 35 states where golf is a permitted by executive
order, and our allied leadership has worked with Governor
Walz and his team to allow golf to be played when our health
offi cials deemed it safe to do so.
The Governor's most recent emergency executive orders
(as this issue goes to press) allows our superintendents and
their crews to prepare our golf courses for the coming season;
and, as of April 18, opened our public and private golf
courses and driving ranges. We are pleased that golf is considered
a safe outdoor recreation activity provided social
distancing protocols are followed.
Spring is also the season we publish the annual golf calendar
included in this issue of Minnesota Golfer (see page
22). In the calendar are all kinds of opportunities to enjoy
the many wonderful golf courses around the state. However,
all events listed are subject to change due to COVID-19.
Visit the MGA's website for the most up-to-date schedule
(mngolf.org/tournaments) where recent cancellations and
postponements can be found.
At the MGA, we have organized a great schedule of
tournaments throughout the 2020 golf season. This year's
venues are outstanding and we anticipate strong participation.
If you haven't already done so, go to the MGA website
(mngolf.org) to sign up. What's more, our schedule of
women's events is awesome.
" Like other forms of outdoor
exercise and recreation,
golf is great for our physical,
mental and social health. "
As president, I'm looking forward to a very successful year
at the Minnesota Golf Association. I trust we are all used
to the new Rules of Golf which have been in effect since the
beginning of 2019, and that the transition to the World
Handicap System, introduced earlier this year, is going
smoothly for all golfers. Likewise, our outstanding staff is
ready to assist you and your club in any way, and happy to
do so.
As our golf courses begin to brighten up, I know you are
itching to get out and play golf. Please check the MGA website
for the latest updates on COVID-19 and golf club operations.
Rest assured that we will communicate any signifi cant
changes to our membership via email and social media.
Until then, enjoy the spring and stay in communication with
your golf buddies to make plans to get out and play the best
game around. If you don't already, I hope you will start to
love golf as much as I do.
mngolf.org
Spring 2020 MINNESOTAGOLFER
35
http://www.mngolf.org/tournaments http://www.mngolf.org http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2020

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