Guest column:
Bill Hobson, Michigan Golf Live and FORE Golfers Network
Perhaps more than any other sport, golf lends itself to the unexpected, unprecedented, and ridiculous. Whether it’s the lucky bounces your friends always get or the time your shank somehow came back to hit you squarely in the forehead – or somewhere more tender.
As we wrestle with the various burdens and challenges created by Covid–19, the golf industry has been rocked to its core by questions, restrictions, confusion, and the ever-present passion to get out and play.
Having covered the game for over 30 years, here are 5 Pandemic observations from a diehard golf nut:
1) The “Lord of the Flies” story portrays communication excellence in comparison to the golf scene in our state throughout April and much of May.
Can courses be open?
What restrictions are in place?
How is that course using carts when we were told they are prohibited?
These, and dozens of additional questions and rants flooded my inbox from frustrated PGA Professionals, General Managers, and Course Owners – all thanks to brutally poor communication from those making decisions in Lansing.
Golf is a $4.2 Billion per year industry in this state and deserves to be treated with more respect than to fall prey to the political whims of those who mistakenly believe the game is the exclusive property of one party or group. We spent several weeks watching a shameful display of division and class warfare from Lansing leadership at the expense of those who feed their families by working in the golf, travel, and hospitality industry.
2) A Good Walk Enjoyed – during the brief time when carts were prohibited (depending on where you lived, what day it was, and the mood of your local sheriff), golfers could only walk to play. While there are many courses in our state that are literally unwalkable, there are hundreds that provide for excellent exercise in a way that takes you back to the roots of the game. One course owner told me he had over 225 walkers in one day, on a course that last YEAR had less than 300 walking rounds total.
3) Reality Check – Passion and emotion are powerful factors for each of us, so when reality collides with our feelings, sparks often fly.
As frustrations mounted in May over the restrictions on golf, I was reminded that in May of 2019, it rained 23 days and very few rounds were played. Courses were flooded, leagues canceled, and rounds overall were quite low.
This year, the springtime weather was a bit more kind, and I believe that when the final figures are tabulated, we might see a bump in total rounds played year-to-year. That would be an excellent silver lining in an otherwise difficult time.
4) False Hope once again made an appearance during my first few rounds. Perhaps you’ve experienced this mirage of confidence as well. Out of the gate, my opening holes were so solid I was certain I could hear the PGA Tour Champions calling to offer me a spot in an upcoming event.
And then came the 6th hole of my season, better known as “the moment I thought about my score.” You know what happens next. Disaster. The dream came crashing down as quickly as it had been formed.
5) Appreciation – In just a few weeks of playing in 2020, I’ve come to gain even more respect and appreciation for the PGA Pros, Supers, and those who have put on masks and gloves to work on a skeleton crew in order to present a great golf experience.
As we all try to figure out the rules, policies, and the vagaries of the World Handicap System, these heroes of the game have been up before the sun to prepare the course, wipe down every surface, insert pool noodles, stage carts, mow, rake, and beautify every last inch of the course you’re about to play.
Thank you to all those professionals who go far beyond their ‘job’ and inject their passion into the experience we all enjoy. And to those who play the game – it’s okay to say thank you not only with words, but by taking extra care with divots, ball marks, and following the protocols.
After all, we are in this together.
