The University of St. Thomas golf teams weren’t able to compete this spring after the NCAA canceled all collegiate spring sports, but the golfers are able to play recreationally after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz opened up golf courses across the state on April 17.

Walz made this decision after over 45,000 people signed the petition on change.org for the state to safely allow golf in Minnesota during COVID-19.

Brackett’s Crossing Country Club superintendent Tom Proshek listed a few changes that will be made when course renovations are complete in June.

“Other courses are spacing out the tee times with 10, 12 or 15 minute intervals to prevent the gathering points, log jams and people getting a little too close,” Proshek said. “The amenities on the golf course are being pulled in like benches, ball washers, water coolers, bunker rakes; just to help protect not only our employees but the members.”

The St. Thomas men’s golf team was looking forward to competing down in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida at the national championships in May but now they will only be able to compete for recreational fun.

Sophomore men’s golfer Sawyer Bailey outlined some of the new guidelines put in place to ensure the golfer’s safety.

“When you show up, everything seems a little different because there are signs everywhere saying: ‘stay six feet apart,’” Bailey said. “On the greens, the cup is raised or there is foam in the cup so people aren’t touching the pin or the cup.”

Sophomore men’s golfer Jack Nasby thinks the NCAA made the right decision to cancel sports, even though golf is possible while social distancing.

“You can’t have one sport be allowed, but not allow other sports to take place,” Nasby said. “It comes down to travel too. We were supposed to go down to nationals in May, but some states are worse than others.”

Although the NCAA cancelled spring sports, Nasby hasn’t given up on the chance to compete as a college student in the upcoming months.

“I’m working with golf professional Tim Herron to start a college pop up tour,” Nasby said. “We have 68 college golfers from Minnesota that are going to compete starting the second week of May.”

The pop up tour will take place in Minnesota around various golf courses.

St. Thomas men’s golf coach Scott Proshek emphasizes the importance of his athletes competing during the summer.

“Testing your skills during the summer competitions has always been when golfers are really made,” Proshek said. “The new normal of competitions for these young men may be different, and Tim Herron and his associates are to be commended to put something like this together.”

First-year women’s golfer Cayla Kim placed third overall for St. Thomas in the 2019 MIAC Championship and is excited to further her skills this summer on the course.

“The stress of the spring season has kinda been lifted now,” Kim said. “I can just focus on working out or improving the skills that needed work after the fall season.”

Sophomore women’s golfer Courtney Shorter noted that continuing to golf will help her this summer too.

“Golf is a place to put my energy and time during the summer, to keep me on track, so my summer isn’t wasted doing other things,” Shorter said.

Junior men’s golfer Eric Chambers added that golf keeps his mind healthy during the time of social distancing and isolation.

“Playing golf is a good time for me to take a break from school and reflect,” Chambers said. “It is my getaway from everything going on right now, so I’m happy the courses opened back up.”

Joey Swanson can be reached at swan5350@stthomas.edu.