Local golf courses say business as usual
Fuller Hall closes, Diamond In The Rough deciding on future clinics
WEBSTER CITY — One local golf course is open for business and another will be in the coming days.
Officials from the Webster City Links and Briggs Woods Golf Course confirmed on Monday that it will be business as usual despite the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has hit the country in recent days and weeks.
Gloria Rasmussen, owner of the Links, said that the course is currently operational and open to the general public.
“We’re open,” Rasmussen said. “The golf course is open as long as it’s playable and the weather permits.”
Travis Brown, who took over as the course superintendent at Briggs Woods earlier this month, said he hopes the course will open to the public on Thursday if Mother Nature is cooperative.
“As of right now, our goal is to open up this Thursday,” Brown said. “It’s not looking like the weather is going to be great, so if that doesn’t happen then we’re hoping for sometime next week.”
Brown said the Department of Health recently visited Briggs Woods and offered suggestions to the staff to help combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We’re going to get a lot better on things like wiping down and sanitizing golf carts and cleaning up in (the clubhouse),” Brown said. “As of right now we’re planning to stay open during this. That could change at some point, but that’s our plan right now.”
On Sunday, Governor Kim Reynolds recommended that all schools close for the next four weeks. Webster City announced on Monday that its doors will be shut until Monday, April 13. South Hamilton has yet to make a formal announcement.
Fuller Hall followed Webster City’s lead Monday evening and announced it will also be closed until April 20.
Dave and Kim Stoakes, the owners and operators of Diamond In The Rough, confirmed their doors are open this week, but said a decision will be made later this week with regards to upcoming clinics they have scheduled. Kim Stoakes said the next clinic is scheduled for Monday, March 23, so they have a few days to decide whether modifications will be made or if it will be postponed.
Dave Stoakes said announcements on any changes at Diamond In The Rough will be posted to the business’s Facebook page and Twitter account. Patrons can also call with questions regarding its hours.