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Local golf course takes extra measures to ensure safety

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Since the stay-at-home order went into effect, many golf courses on the Central Coast have remained open.

The Avila Beach Golf Resort has several measures in place to ensure the safety of employees as well as guests.

Each golf cart is disinfected, hitting all the touch points.

"I've probably been out here a couple dozen times during the whole thing in the afternoons," said Golfer, Jonathan Poling of Shell Beach.

Poling says golfing has been a saving grace during the pandemic.

"It's one of the best exercises and peace of mind that a person can absolutely get," Poling said.

Avila Beach Golf Resort says the phones have been ringing from avid golfers making sure they're open.

"Two weekends ago, we had one of the busiest weekends we've seen in years," said General Manager, Colby Hartje. "There were a lot of people out here golfing and we were running out of golf carts."

When the golfers check-in, it's one person at a time.

"They're not allowed into the golf shop and the staff that checks them in is wearing a mask," Hartje explained.

There is also red tape on the ground for social distancing.

"It's only one person per cart," Hartje said.

Once on the course, there's a pool noodle at the bottom of the flag pole.

"What that does is it keeps the ball from going into the hole so it creates no touch points. We also tell the golfers not to touch the flag stick," Hartje said.

While groups have been nixed since COVID-19, playing solo is an option to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine.

"Golf is such a great way to social distance because the golf course is so expansive," Hartje said.

Here are some of the golf courses open in San Luis Obispo County:

  • Pismo Beach Golf Course
  • Cypress Ridge Golf Course
  • Chalk Mountain Golf Course
  • Monarch Dunes Golf Club
  • Blacklake Golf Resort
  • Morro Bay Golf Course
  • Sea Pines Golf Resort
  • Hunter Ranch Golf Course
  • Links Golf Course of Paso Robles
  • Paso Robles Golf Club
  • River Oaks Golf Course