Columbia golf courses to open Friday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia golf courses are set to re-open on Friday with new safety measures in place due to COVID-19.

Columbia Parks and Recreation Director Mike Griggs said golfers will not be able to rent golf carts, buy food or drinks, or enter the clubhouse. Golfers will pay through a window by the first hole to limit contact.

"We think of all sports that golf is one that you can certainly spread out. The social distance impacts are very minimal, so it's a good sport to open up and start with," Griggs said.

Griggs said golf courses in Columbia closed recently because of staffing and health concerns.

"We've got some staff that can come in to work, and we've done some modifications, so now it is time to open it back up," Griggs said.

Griggs said tee times are now spaced further apart as well, and tee times are limited to four people per group. He added that members of Columbia Parks and Recreation have looked at how other golf courses are operating amid COVID-19 and learning from those models.

Courses will open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.