MGA supports public safety, but seeks clarification on closure of golf facilities

Minnesota

EDINA, Minn. (March 18, 2020) -- The Minnesota Golf Association, along with its allied industry associations, support Governor Tim Walz’s executive action to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. On Monday, the Governor announced the closure of bars, restaurants, and other places of public accommodation effective 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, through March 27. Included in the last category of the executive order were sports related clubs, including “country clubs and golf clubs”.
 
The MGA, which represents Minnesota golf facilities and golfers throughout the state, is seeking clarity on the executive order, which, while prohibiting the sale and consumption of food and beverage within a building, does allow for walk up, drive through and take out service. Likewise, beyond the confines of the country club or public clubhouse, it is the position of the MGA and its allied associations that playing golf out of doors while practicing common sense social distancing is an acceptable way to engage in physical exercise with very little chance of increasing the spread of new cases of COVID-19. To this end, we have sought clarification from Governor Walz on the Emergency Executive Order 20-04  to confirm we have interpreted the order correctly. We will report to our constituencies as developments dictate.