Boothbay Harbor Country Club golfers got into the swing of things May 15 as their local course opened. Maine courses were closed until May 1 under Gov. Janet Mills’ “Stay at Home” order due to the coronavirus. Courses reopened as part of the governor’s four-stage reopening plan. But BHCC golfers had to wait until May 15 because that is the course’s traditional opening date. The course is starting later than most. but BHCC Director of Golf and Membership Chad Penman reported the country club is implementing the governor’s social distancing requirements. “Today (May 15) is busy, and tomorrow there is a full sheet (of tee times) so a lot of people are turning out,” Penman said. “They can’t enter the clubhouse and must load their bags onto their carts.”

Public and private courses alike are instituting “Park, Play and Go Home” as guidelines for the new season in the era of coronavirus. Other requirements prohibit two golfers in a golf cart unless they live in the same household. The Maine Golf Association is urging all state courses to adopt “Park, Play and Go Home. A Safe and Sensible Way to Play Golf.”  Social distancing is the cornerstone of the strategy which prohibits golfers from hanging around the parking lot and golf course. Other changes include closing the clubhouse, putting greens and driving ranges. Food and beverage sales are limited to take-out. Tee times are spaced out to distance golfers further from one another. Penman reported the country club spaced tee times from 10 minutes to 16 in abiding by the social distancing directive. 

The Boothbay Harbor Country Club Course remains open each season until Oct. 15.