With the weather starting to turn, area golfers are starting to get the itch to head out on the golf course. However, Governor Tim Walz’ press conference was a bit of a mixed bag for golf fans. The governor extended his stay-at-home order until May 4, but included maintenance workers at golf courses as essential employees.
At Perham Lakeside Golf Course, it gives some hope that a season will be around the corner even with restrictions in place.
Perham Golf Shop Manager Mike Kunza said the course came out of the winter in really good shape. Kunza said the tee boxes and the greens are in perfect condition.
“We are about ready to open depending on what happens with the governor’s orders,” Kunza said. “We are just kind of waiting and in a holding pattern like everyone else is.”
In the previous stay-at-home order, golf course maintenance workers were a part of the non-essential list of workers. However, that changed with Wednesday’s announcement, allowing crews to tidy up the course and prepare for potential openers. What that meant was the course couldn’t bring in employees to work on the course during that time. Kunza said that move will help golf courses get ready for an anticipated opener.
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Kunza said the announcement brought a mixed bag of emotions. It brought excitement that they are able to work on the course, however, the optimism is slowed down because the course isn’t able to open to golfers yet.
“The day is coming,” Kunza said. “It’s just a matter of time. We will be open and we will deal with the COVID-19 regulations when we hear more. We have a plan in place, but we are not ready to announce those until we hear more from the state.”
While they are not ready to announce their plans, the course is ready to adapt if social distance protocols are put in place when courses are open to the public.
The 2020 tournament and league schedule is all set up for the season at Perham Lakeside. This year’s season will feature two league days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the year. Perham Lakeside will offer an 18-hole men’s league on Tuesday mornings and a nine-hole men’s matchplay league Tuesday evenings. Wednesdays will feature a ladies league. Along with the trio of leagues, the course is set for several big tournaments during the year including the annual Perham Chamber Golf event, The annual Pro-Am event as well as the Tuffy Nelson Classic which takes place on July 31.
For more information on the upcoming season and announcements involving the 2020 golf season at Perham Lakeside, visit www.perhamlakesidegolf.com.
