Despite social distancing regulations, area golfers happy to be back on course

Jim Dunn felt like a little kid anticipating the first day of school.

It didn’t matter temperatures were in the upper 40s and low 50s and light rain fell, the 83-year-old Murrysville native couldn’t wait to play his first round of the season.

At 8 a.m. Friday, Dunn walked to the tee box as the first golfer of the day at Hannastown Golf Club in Hempfield. His opening tee shot came a day after Gov. Tom Wolf allowed outdoor activities, including golf, to resume.

Golf courses may open as part of a statewide reopening of outdoor recreational activities, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

Courses must follow the life-sustaining business guidelines put in place by the governor’s office, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance for outdoor recreation.

“I’m so happy to be playing,” Dunn said after he sent his drive sizzling down the fairway. “I’ve been looking forward to this day. At 83, I don’t know how many more rounds I got. I’m anxious to go out there and play.”

Dunn didn’t have to worry about social distancing. He played by himself, and there were no other golfers scheduled early on. When he was in the pro shop checking in with Hannastown pro Craig Mankins, he wore a mask.

“It went well,” Dunn said about his round. “I shot 92. I’m still trying to shoot my age. It was a little different: no rakes in the sand traps and noodle device in the cup. The course was in great shape, and there weren’t that many players out yet.”

The weather kept the courses from being overrun Friday, but Glengarry Golf Course owner Jamie Costic knows it will be different Saturday, when the weather is expected to be much nicer.

“We really don’t have many tee times left,” Costic said. “Golfers just have to be patient. Friday was a test run, and things went OK.”

Glengarry, located in Unity Township, had more golfers than Hannastown. The first group went off around 7 a.m. Tee times were a little more spread out.

“When I learned Gov. Wolf lifted the ban, I was on the phone right away telling my friends,” said Lee Roehrig of Oak Grove near Ligonier. “It beats sitting around the house. We hadn’t played in more than a month, so it was good to be out.”

Frank Johnston of Longbridge said Roehrig called him right away Monday and said, “Get a tee time for Friday. We’re allowed to play.”

“The restrictions aren’t a problem,” Johnston said. “We can handle that. It’s tougher on the course because they have to put one person per cart. I liked the gadget in the cup. I have a hard time getting all the way down in the cup.”

Some of what golfers will encounter are employees wearing protective masks and gloves, tee times every 15 minutes and no scorecard availability. There are no caddies or anyone to handle clubs.

There will be no rakes in sand traps or tees or ball markers available at the counter. Players must abide by social distancing, and each will have his or her own cart. All food and drink, if available, is takeout.

“One thing golfers will find are the courses are in great shape,” River Forest pro Josh Schreckengost said. “This is the best they’ll see all season.”