Miles Bennett
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has been at the center of several controversies related to golf courses in the state. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Evers issued a 'safer at home' order that closed all nonessential businesses, including golf courses, to curb the spread of the virus. This decision faced opposition from various groups, including Republican lawmakers, golf course owners, and residents, who urged Evers to reopen the courses, citing economic concerns and the sport's outdoor nature. Dunn County golf courses in Wisconsin allowed members to play despite the governor's order, as long as they followed distancing guidelines. More recently, in 2023, conservation groups have pushed Evers to block a land swap deal that would allow the construction of a private luxury golf course along Lake Michigan's shoreline, citing potential ecological damage to conserved lands. These incidents have sparked discussions and petitions regarding the accessibility and environmental impact of golf courses in Wisconsin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golf courses closed under Tony Evers' 'safer at home' order | Yes |
| Golf courses allowed to remain open during the pandemic | California, Kentucky, and Nevada |
| Golf courses allowed to remain open in Wisconsin | Dunn County |
| Number of signatures on a petition urging Tony Evers to allow golfers to play on courses | 60,000-65,000 |
| Tony Evers' stance on a proposed new Kohler golf course | Conservation groups are pushing him to block a land swap for the course |
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What You'll Learn
Tony Evers' 'safer at home' order
In an effort to limit unnecessary travel and reduce the spread of COVID-19, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued a "safer-at-home" order in January 2023. The order, which went into effect in March 2020, aimed to curb the spread of the coronavirus by closing nonessential businesses and schools, and encouraging people to stay at home except for essential needs like grocery shopping or medical appointments. The order was extended several weeks beyond its initial end date of April 24 and included minor changes, such as allowing golf courses to open with more spread-out tee times.
While the order did not specifically address golf courses, an Evers spokesperson later clarified that they were included in the closures as places of "public amusement and activity." This interpretation was contested by some, who argued that golf courses could be maintained with minimal staff and that playing golf while social distancing did not violate the order. Dunn County in northwestern Wisconsin allowed its golf courses to remain open as long as they followed distancing guidelines and patrons had paid for memberships.
The "safer-at-home" order sparked some controversy, with Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald criticising the extension of the order without a clear plan for reopening the state. Despite this, Governor Evers maintained that the order was necessary to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites. The order encouraged social distancing and banned group sports like basketball, soccer, and ultimate frisbee. Essential businesses like hospitals, grocery stores, hardware stores, and pharmacies remained open without requiring special certification.
Governor Evers acknowledged that the order was not ideal, but emphasised the importance of taking the pandemic seriously. He urged Wisconsinites to limit their travel and avoid unnecessary gatherings like sleepovers, play dates, and dinner parties. The order also allowed for outdoor exercise while maintaining a distance of 6 feet from others, and permitted activities such as visiting public and state parks, walking, biking, and running.
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Golf courses in Dunn County allowed members to play
In 2020, golf courses in Dunn County, Wisconsin allowed members to play despite Governor Tony Evers' "safer at home" order. The order, which was meant to slow the spread of COVID-19, did not specifically mention golf courses but a spokesperson for the governor later clarified that they were included in the closures.
Dunn County, however, allowed its golf courses to remain open as long as they followed distancing guidelines and patrons had paid memberships. A letter from the Dunn County Sheriff's Office, dated March 31, described these guidelines and stated that courses following them were not in violation of the governor's order.
The decision to keep golf courses open in Dunn County sparked some debate. Some argued that it could be considered a violation if courses tried to take advantage by selling one-day memberships. However, others cited Statute 11-C of Evers' order, which allowed for certain outdoor activities as long as social distancing was maintained. As a result, a petition on change.org asking for golf courses to be opened across the state gathered over 60,000 signatures.
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Republican lawmakers urged Tony Evers to reopen golf courses
In March 2020, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers authorised a safer-at-home executive order, which closed all non-essential businesses and activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This included the closure of golf courses in the state.
In response, a group of 40 Republican lawmakers, led by state Rep. Rob Hutton, urged Gov. Evers to reopen golf courses. They argued that golf was a popular outdoor sport and provided good exercise, especially as other outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and visiting state parks were still permitted. The group asked that golf courses be allowed to reopen if they followed certain guidelines, including social distancing and safety measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The lawmakers' letter, sent to Gov. Evers on March 27, noted that organisations such as the Wisconsin PGA/WPGA Junior Foundation, Wisconsin State Golf Association, and Golf Course Owners of Wisconsin had developed additional guidelines to allow play to continue safely. These included removing objects that could be touched, such as ball washers and rakes, allowing only online payments, and spacing tee times at least 12 minutes apart.
Golf course owners in Wisconsin also urged Gov. Evers to allow them to reopen, expressing concern that their businesses might not survive until the safer-at-home restrictions were lifted. An online petition calling for golfers to be allowed to play on courses in the state attracted almost 65,000 signatures.
Despite the order, some golf courses in Dunn County, northwestern Wisconsin, remained open to members, provided they followed distancing guidelines and had paid for a membership.
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Conservation groups push Tony Evers to block a land swap for a new golf course
Conservation groups are urging Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to block a land swap between the state and Kohler Company, a private company, for the construction of a luxury golf course along Lake Michigan. The proposed land swap involves the transfer of five acres of Kohler-Andrae State Park and a roughly two-acre easement to Kohler Co. in exchange for 9.5 acres of the company's property. Kohler Co. plans to build a championship-level golf course on 247 acres along Lake Michigan, which will include an 18-hole course, a clubhouse, a maintenance facility, an irrigation pond, and an entrance road.
Conservation groups, including the Friends of the Black River Forest and the Sierra Club, argue that the land swap could damage sensitive ecosystems and conserved lands along the lake's shoreline. The area features natural dunes, wetlands, and habitats for sensitive and endangered species, including migratory birds, reptiles, and plants. They also raise concerns about the potential impact of construction and maintenance on air quality, wildlife, and visitors' experiences in the park. Mary Faydash, president of Friends of the Black River Forest, stated that the exchange violated rules over selling state park property and set a harmful precedent for state parks and conserved lands.
The battle between Kohler Co., conservation groups, and neighbors of the park has been ongoing for years. In 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of Kohler on a dispute related to the golf course project, upholding the annexation of 250 acres by the City of Sheboygan. In 2022, the same court ruled that the Friends group lacked legal standing to challenge the land swap. Despite the court rulings, conservation groups continue to pressure Governor Evers to intervene and block the land swap to protect the environmentally sensitive area.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tony Evers issued a "safer at home" order that included the closure of non-essential businesses, such as golf courses, in the state of Wisconsin. This decision sparked mixed reactions, with some golf courses in Dunn County allowing members to play as long as they followed distancing guidelines. A group of 40 Republican lawmakers called on Governor Evers to reopen golf courses, arguing that golf is a popular outdoor sport and could provide good exercise while following safety guidelines. However, other states with shelter-in-place orders, such as California, Kentucky, and Nevada, allowed golf courses to remain open during this time.
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Golf course owners urged Tony Evers to reopen courses
In 2020, golf course owners urged Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to reopen courses closed under the "safer at home" order, which was aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. The order, which went into effect on March 24, deemed golf courses non-essential and included them in the closure of "places of public amusement and activity."
Golf course owners expressed concern about the financial impact of the closures, fearing their businesses might not survive until the restrictions were lifted. They were supported by a group of 40 Republican lawmakers, who wrote a letter to Governor Evers urging him to reopen golf courses. The lawmakers argued that golf is a popular outdoor sport and could provide good exercise while adhering to social distancing and safety guidelines.
The Wisconsin PGA/WPGA Junior Foundation, Wisconsin State Golf Association, and other organizations also advocated for the reopening of golf courses. They proposed additional guidelines to allow play to continue safely, such as removing objects that could be touched, enforcing online payments, and spacing tee times. An online petition called "Let Wisconsin Golf" garnered over 60,000 signatures, reflecting the strong desire for golf courses to reopen.
Despite initial resistance, Governor Evers eventually included golf courses in the new "safer at home" order, allowing them to reopen on April 24 with restrictions. These restrictions included the prohibition of golf carts, mandatory social distancing, advanced reservations and payments, and the closure of clubhouses and pro shops. While some counties, like Dunn County, allowed members to play during the closure, most golf courses in Wisconsin had to wait until April 24 to resume operations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Gov. Tony Evers closed all nonessential businesses in Wisconsin, which included golf courses, under his 'safer at home' order.
Yes, a group of 40 Republican lawmakers, led by state Rep. Rob Hutton, urged Gov. Tony Evers to reopen golf courses, citing that golf is a popular outdoor sport and good exercise. They suggested that golf courses could reopen with social distancing and safety guidelines in place.
Yes, Dunn County in northwestern Wisconsin allowed its golf courses to remain open as long as they followed distancing guidelines and patrons had paid for memberships.
