On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, the Greene County Public Health Commissioner issued an order that allows the reopening of golf courses as an outdoor recreation opportunity with specified guidelines and restrictions, effective Friday, April 10, 2020. The Beavercreek Golf Club course will re-open with the guidelines and restrictions on Friday, April 10, 2020.
The health and safety of our employees, residents and community is our highest priority. We will take precautionary steps and make the required service adjustments in response to the latest Greene County Public Health order. The Beavercreek Golf Club will provide a service to the community that is consistent with the Governor’s encouragement to spend time outdoors. We are committed to doing so in a way that prevents the spread of the COVID-19 virus and illness, and abides by the social distancing protocols limiting person- to-person contact.
We have made the following changes to operations in an effort to protect our community and is consistent with the Greene County Public Health order:
- Payments will be limited to debit & credit cards only. Prepayment over the phone when making a tee time is strongly encouraged, Phone: (937) 320-0742.
- Golfers will be able to check in and pay for their tee times at the front desk just inside the Clubhouse front entrance. Tape has been placed every 6 feet to observe social distancing while checking in.
- Patrons will be able to swipe their own credit cards limiting contact. Golfers will only be allowed to enter the vestibule area for a quick and brief transaction with staff for payment.
- Other limited access will be for Clubhouse vestibule restrooms.
- Golf carts should not carry more than one person at a time unless riders are from the same household; and will be disinfected after each use.
- Tee Times will be set at 10 minute intervals for increased spacing between groups. If need be, times may be spaced out further based on play.
- Golfers will not be paired with other players, for example; if you reserve a tee time for 2 golfers, you will remain a two-some. No more than 4 players per group maintaining proper social distancing at all times.
- All flag sticks will remain in the hole at all times. A device will be positioned in the hole to keep the ball above the ground.
- All golf rakes and ball washers have been removed.
- Golf course restrooms will remain closed until further notice.
- The driving range and putting green will remain temporarily closed.
- Packaged snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
- Hours of operation will be as follows: First available tee time is 9:00 am and the last tee time will be 6:00pm. Hours of operations will be adjusted as the “Stay at Home Order” changes or other orders become effective.
We need help from our customers to ensure rules are followed and proper social distancing is maintained. Your cooperation helps us keep our patrons and our staff healthy and our golf course operational.
Please do not visit Beavercreek Golf Club if you are exhibiting any symptoms of illness. We will continue to gather information and work closely with Greene County Public Health to maintain the safety and well-being of our residents and golfing patrons. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. If you have any questions, please contact Steven Klick, PGA Director of Operations at klick@beavercreekohio.gov or (937) 320-0742 Ext: 182.
______________________________________________________________________________
GREENE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER
Greene County Public Health
Melissa Howell MS, MBA, MPH, RN, RS, Health
Commissioner
Kevin L. Sharrett, MD, Medical Director
April 8, 2020
Re: GOLF COURSE OPERATIONS DURING THE DIRECTOR’S STAY AT HOME ORDER
On March 22, 2020 The Ohio Director of Health issued a Stay at Home Order in response to the Covid- 19 pandemic.
On March 25, 2020 Greene County had a peak onset of Covid-19 cases including one death.
On March 26, 2020 Socrates Touch, Legal Counsel for the Ohio Department of Health and Lance Himes, Chief of Staff for the Ohio Department of Health verified that golf courses are non-essential businesses with no exemption and were to remain closed.
On March 29, 2020 Chief of Staff Lance Himes stated the Ohio Department of Health’s "position is evolving." Greene County golf courses were ordered to remain closed due to the threat of a novel coronavirus exhibiting peak behavior on March 25 2020.
Now, on April 8, 2020, Greene County Public Health has noted 14 days of decreased reports for Covid-19. Fourteen days represents one incubation period for Covid-19. Greene County Public Health will allow golf courses to open in Greene County on April 10,2020. Non-essential operations will remain closed.
Golf course operations may be open as an outdoor recreational activity as long as they meet the following criteria:
- The golf course is operating as an outdoor recreational activity abiding by all of the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Stay at Home Order social distancing and disinfection requirements. However, if the golf course is operating other businesses as a part of the operations (restaurants, clubhouse, spa, driving range, putting and practice greens, etc.) then you should submit your plans as to why you deem these business operations essential.
- You have the responsibility to assure physical (social) distancing and protective measures are adhered to consistently.
- You must provide protective measures to ensure compliance with social distancing requirements (Section #15 of the Director’s Stay at Home Order) including:
- designate 6 foot physical/social distances for both employees, members and customers;
- have hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available for employees, members and customers;
- golf carts should not carry more than one person at a time unless riders are from the same household; and should be disinfected after each use;
- golf clubs or other golf equipment that belongs to the golf course and used by customers should be disinfected after each use; and
- can communicate hours of operations via online and remotely to the public;
- Spacing tee times to ensure golfers are not congregating;
- potential sources of transmission medium such as flagsticks, rakes, ball washers, water stations, outside tables should be removed.
- Section 13A specifies the following exemptions: "The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business inventory, preserve the conditions of the business’s physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll, and employee benefits, or for related functions."
- Section 17 reads "This Order may be enforced by State and local law enforcement to the extent set forth in Ohio law. To the extent any public official enforcing this Order, the Director of Health hereby delegates to local health departments the authority to answer questions in writing consistent with this Order." Questions can be directed to general@gcph.info.
- Section 19 stipulates "Nothing in this Order shall in any way alter or modify an existing legal authority allowing the State or any local health department from ordering (1)any quarantine or isolation that may require an individual to remain inside a particular residential property or medical facility for a limited period of time, including duration of this public health emergency, or (2) any closure of a specific location for a limited time, including the duration of this public health emergency.
- Greene County Public Health may randomly inspect the business practices of golf courses to verify that they are meeting the requirements outlined in the Director’s Stay at Home order.
The Director of Health’s Stay at Home Order was issued to reduce the spread of Covid-19 through social distancing so that medical facilities and local infrastructure including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services are not pushed beyond capacity to ensure Greene County residents receive life-saving critical care. Any complaints of non-compliance with the required Stay at Home Order will be investigated and confirmed violations may cause a reversal of this order.
Sincerely,
Melissa Howell, MS, MBA, MPH, RN, RS
Health Commissioner