Driving range shutdowns are hurting golf facilities ahead of the busy summer season, an East Longmeadow golf course operator said Sunday after his course was hit with a $300 fine Friday for reopening its range amid coronavirus restrictions.
The town issued Fenway Golf a cease and desist order Friday afternoon for opening its driving range, which isn’t permitted in Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening orders. Fenway’s par-3 course opened two weeks ago in accordance with state orders.
Andrew Fisk, Fenway Golf president, told the Herald Sunday the closed driving range and mini golf course are the center’s top revenue makers.
“This being one of our biggest weekends of the year, it’s kind of make or break at this point, and we just wanted to smartly and safely open the driving range, which is completely possible,” Fisk said.
Mary McNally, East Longmeadow town manager, confirmed the fine was issued Friday afternoon.
“We don’t like to do it, we’re very sorry to have to do it,” McNally said, calling Fenway Golf a fun local attraction. “Every other business that is not open until phase two, we want to treat everybody the same.”
Baker’s order earlier this month allowed courses to reopen with restrictions, including closed clubhouses, no caddies or golf carts and driving range and chipping areas closed to the public.
Jesse Menachem, CEO of Mass Golf, said coronavirus restrictions remain a concern for many golf facilities.
“We are getting into the active season of golf,” Menachem said Sunday. “This is prime time. Whether you’re on Cape Cod or in Springfield or Western Mass., this is the time when you need to take advantage of the interest.”
Mass Golf, one of the nation’s largest state golf associations, has promoted golf as a healthy, low-risk activity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Menachem said driving ranges could operate with social distancing given their usual layouts separating individual tees, and suggested the current 15-minute tee time intervals for courses make practice facilities more necessary.
Fisk said Fenway Golf, a family-owned dairy farm turned golf course in 1940, has seen an increase in customers after Fenway’s Facebook post Friday about the fine received over 1,200 comments and reactions.
On Facebook, Fenway criticized the town for “handing out fines like they are God” and not empathizing with business owners running their “nonessential” businesses which are necessary for their livelihoods.
“I don’t want to single out any business, we just want all businesses to be able to open,” Fisk said. “I just want to be able to use common sense and safe practices, and if that’s what it takes, we’re ready, willing and able.”
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East Longmeadow golf course slams restrictions, fine amid busy weekend - Boston Herald
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