Nancy Edmonds Hanson
nancy.edmonds.hanson@gmail.com

Big questions surrounding the season ahead were lifted Tuesday when Moorhead’s two public golf courses, The Meadows and Village Green, welcomed the year’s first golfers right on time, no later than in far more normal years.
But after weeks of uncertainty, Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement last Friday that Minnesotans could golf again did come as something of a surprise to Parks and Recreation director Holly Heitkamp and her staff. “Of course, we’ve been expecting it,” she said Monday. “What surprised us most was that his order was immediate,” starting the next morning. “It’s early – we’ve still got snow around town. But our courses are ready to go.”
The opening date was in question, of course, because of the governor’s order that Minnesotans stay at home to slow the advance of COVID-19, originally until mid-April but later extended through May 4. His announcement Friday also loosened restrictions on other outdoor recreation including Walz’s decision also included the reopening of bait shops, outdoor shooting ranges and marina services, among with many other outdoor pursuits.
That answers one big question for the city’s extensive summer recreation programs. Golfers will find the rules slightly amended, Heitkamp says, but the game will go on. Coming months are much less clear for the rest of her programs, from swimming pools and baseball to children’s programs and the use of swings, slides and other playground equipment, where regular sanitizing to prevent viral transmission isn’t practical.
“We’re following the governor’s recommendation for social distancing until at least May 4,” the director says. “Basically, we’re pushing everything out two weeks at a time. Then we’ll see.” Unlike Minneapolis, where all summer recreation programs have been canceled, she notes that Moorhead is keeping its options open, depending on how measures to fight the pandemic are maintained or loosened.
Some dates have already been altered. Youth baseball was to start May 11. “It’s a big program with lots of moving parts,” she says. “At this point, we’ve pushed it back to starting the week of June 1. Other things like our park programs and pools aren’t started to begin until after June 1, so no decision has been made yet.”
She adds, “If the stay-at-home order is extended, at some point we may have to decide whether it’s worth filling a pool or not. We’ll make that decision based on whether social distance guidelines can be maintained. We’re still hoping to have our summer youth programs, but it’s just too soon to tell.”
In the meantime, Heitkamp says, “Our staff is anxious and ready to go. We’re doing lots of work to get ready. When we know what the summer is going to bring, we’ll be out there.”
Golf, COVID style
Moorhead and Fargo parks staffs have collaborated on working out guidelines for spring play that meet all CDC guidelines, as well direction from the state Department of Natural Resources and local health officials. The basics include a little more separation in tee times, staying 6 feet away from others, and foregoing golf carts, at least for the time being.
The clubhouses are open at The Meadows and Village Green, but only one customer is allowed inside at a time. Credit cards are the only option for paying – no cash or checks. Golfers are encouraged to schedule their tee times over the phone at 218-299-PUTT or online at moorheadgolf.com. Tee times are set 14 minutes apart, and groups are limited to four or fewer.
All of the practice facilities, including driving ranges, putting greens and practice bunkers are closed for now. Flagsticks will remain in the cup holes, with raised cups used for safer ball retrieval. Golfers are asked to refrain from retrieving stray golf balls or sharing clubs.
The use of water jugs, bunker rakes, ball washers and even garbage cans is suspended for now. Restrooms will be open and sanitized twice a day. Golfers are urged to bring their own hand sanitizer.
Food and beverage services have been suspended for now. No alcohol will be served, and no personal coolers will be allowed on the courses.
All tournaments and social gatherings are on hold until further notice. The courses are continuing to book future events on a tentative basis.