Can a Fresno golf course operate as ‘essential’ in a pandemic? Realistically, not now

A devoted golfer believes playing the sport is essential to happiness and well-being.

But just how essential is a question that is being asked in Fresno. Members of the San Joaquin Country Club are chafing under city orders to be closed as a nonessential business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Club members want the city to reconsider its position, saying they simply desire to walk their course, hit the ball and enjoy the lovely spring weather Valley residents love so much.

While Gov. Gavin Newsom encouraged outdoor exercise when he announced his stay-at-home directive last month, he intended it to be more like walks in the neighborhood.

The problem with golf is that, for many adherents, it is both a sport and a social time. That last aspect is what worries public health officials who counsel Californians that now is not the time for gatherings of any kind. To beat the coronavirus, the state’s residents need to shelter at home as much as possible and not pass around the highly infectious disease.

Contradictory images

San Joaquin Country Club members are rightly upset that golfers continue to use Sunnyside Country Club, which is in county territory while inside the city, as well as Dragonfly Golf Club in Madera County.

County leaders have chosen to let businesses and organizations voluntarily comply with the governor’s orders. Fresno’s mayor and council determined it was better for the city of more than 500,000 to enforce closure orders by determining essential enterprises from nonessential ones.

Voluntary compliance is a nice ideal, and it is understandable the sheriff might not be thrilled about enforcing business closures. But the confusion is widespread between how things operate in the city and in the county. The county Board of Supervisors should join with Fresno city and enforce the stay at home directive.

More action in recognition of the pandemic came Monday from professional golf’s governing bodies. The Masters, one of golf’s major tournaments held every spring and which was set to start this week in Augusta, Georgia, now will be played in November. The U.S. Open will also have later date due to the pandemic.

And the beloved British Open, set for July, was canceled entirely. It will return next year.

Socialness the problem

The professional events feature throngs of spectators who delight in the abilities of the world’s best golfers to land the tiny white ball within inches of a hole from hundreds of yards away. Getting thousands of onlookers together while the coronavirus remains virulent would be a mistake. Thankfully the professional organizers recognized that.

Similarly, San Joaquin Country Club golfers cannot be allowed to play because they may engage in social gathering, despite their promises not to do so. They say they will practice social distancing, but all it takes is for someone to pass around drinks near the clubhouse after 18 holes, and the distancing is for naught. This is why the golf courses and country clubs in the county should be closed, too.

Besides, other athletic pursuits are postponed right now. Swimmers cannot use public pools for workouts or competitions. Body builders and weightlifters cannot go to gyms. Backpackers cannot access national parks. And ocean sports fishing trips have been canceled, all because of fears of the infectious coronavirus.

San Joaquin Country Club golfers are going to have to sacrifice as well. They can enjoy neighborhood walks, practice their swing in the backyard and watch the Golf Channel for re-runs.

When it comes to COVID-19, there’s no room to take a mulligan.