Golf courses swing into season with gusto

While it was bad in almost every way, the pandemic has been good for the game of golf. Area golf course managers report increases in play and a robust season for 2021.
“COVID has made golf explode,” said Brenna Collins, general manager at Zumbro Valley Golf Course in Mantorville. “It’s something where people can socially distance fairly easily. It gives people a reason to get outside and enjoy the weather. We had a really great season last year. It’s been one of the benefits of COVID.”
Brett Mucheck, director of membership and marketing at Somerby Golf Club in Byron, said COVID’s effects on the game of golf have been very positive.
“It’s one of the few safe activities people can do,” Mucheck said. “Somerby is very family oriented, and we’ve had lots of family play. There are a lot of kids out here, a lot of moms and dads. That’s one driver for why membership has been busy.”
“A lot of people were thinking about golf even in the winter. You’re outdoors in the sunshine. You can easily socially distance. So it’s had a positive impact on golf.”
Mucheck said the pandemic has changed how Somerby Golf Club runs events. More food is provided to go, with outdoor seating, and instead of coming into the clubhouse for lunch between events, people grab boxed lunches instead.
“People are happy to have something to do and be outside with friends,” he said. “It’s been a good thing for us and for the game of golf.”
“People could golf and do that outside, where they couldn’t do other things,” said Mike Otto, general manager of the Dodge County Club in Dodge Center.
The 2021 season got under way in March.
The Oaks Golf Club in Hayfield opened on March 13, closed back down when it snowed and then reopened for golf on March 21. Zumbro Valley Golf Course in Mantorville opened April 1. Somerby opened April 2, and the Dodge County Club in the middle of April.
“We’re anticipating a very busy year,” said Mike Hasley head golf professional of The Oaks. “Our hopes are that we are going to be a little more normal, and a little less COVID affected. We have a full tournament schedule. Our membership sign up numbers have been very strong so we are anticipating a very good golf year.”
At Zumbro Valley, last year was one of the best years they’d ever had. And when the season began they were up 125 members from last year at this time.
“It was something people could do safely,” Collins said. “We’re hoping a lot of those families who got memberships for the first time will come back and we’ll stay busy.”
Mucheck at Somerby reports that they’ve added more events this year. Last year they had the most rounds ever played, with over 18,000 rounds played in the season. “A lot of people were interested in joining over the winter months, which doesn’t usually happen. We’re anticipating another very busy year.”
“If the start of the season is any indication, we’re going to be busy,” said Otto.
Collins said they had more than 300 members last season at Zumbro Valley.
Hasley said last year the course was a bit down for play because they had to cancel their large tournaments. Those are 150- to 200-player days, he said.
The golf season will wind down at area golf courses depending on the weather. Some people were able to play in December last year, said Collins.
 
As for whether it might snow yet again this spring and shut down the fun at regional golf courses, golf course managers say that’s anybody’s guess.
 
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Hasley said. “But it will be temporary if it happens because our ground temps are warming up so any snow is just a nuisance.”
 
“I hope not,” Collins said. “Once we get our carts out and put the pins in … you don’t want to take steps back. We hope it doesn’t snow but you never know in Minnesota.”
 
Mucheck said, “If it does, it does. It’s Minnesota, right? So we expect crazy weather like that to happen. Our leagues and big tournaments don’t start until May because you never know what you’re going to get in April.”