May 11, 2020
With Mayor Mueller’s announced opening of City of South Bend golf courses, Elbel Park and Erskine Park golf courses are officially open for the 2020 season as of Monday, May 11th. The opening of our City of South Bend golf courses will be conducted in phases, with several new policies and guidelines instituted to promote greater public safety.
The initial phase of opening will see clubhouses remaining closed, shielded window service, single rider golf carts, recommended 6-foot minimum physical distancing from others, increased tee time spacing, advisement for all visitors to wear a mask while in common spaces on the property (parking lot, walkways, areas surrounding clubhouse, etc.), encouraged use of online reservations and payment, several on-course safety measures and focused sanitization of golf carts and public surface contact areas. Portable restroom facilities will be available.
City of South Bend Director of Golf Operations Tony Stearns commented, “With Mayor Mueller’s approval, and the many precautions we’re implementing, we feel opening our courses can be done responsibly and has great value for our golfers at this time. Having toured each course this week, I can say that they’re in fantastic shape. They’ll be a pleasure to play. We just ask that all players observe our guidelines, as their cooperation will promote greater safety and add to the enjoyment of all playing.”
Our City of South Bend golf courses are perpetually committed to offering the very best golf experience. To further our ability to provide this experience, the cooperation of all golf course patrons is paramount, particularly during this challenging time across our community and around the world. While the assumption of risk is forever present in public spaces, our City of South Bend golf courses are committed to furthering public safety through the implementation and management of our newly established policies and guidelines. These policies and guidelines may be adjusted as new information and circumstances warrant.
Visit sbvpa.org/updates for continual updates related to the re-opening of other VPA programs, events, and facilities. Venues Parks & Arts is a department in the City of South Bend that inspires a more livable South Bend for all, connecting people to emotionally engaging experiences and to one another. For more information about Venues Parks & Arts, visit www.sbvpa.org.
###