Westwood Golf Course now open with restrictions

The City of Newton shut down all city buildings on March 18 including Westwood Municipal Golf Course. The popular Newton course was closed the next day but re-opened on Wednesday with several restrictions.

Brad Sponseller, the PGA Golf Professional at Westwood Golf Course, said the two-week shutdown was a city-led decision.

"They are allowing us to re-open, but there will be quite a few restrictions in place," Sponseller said.

For other courses in Jasper County, it was business as usual for the most part, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Gateway Recreation Golf Course in Monroe and Colfax Country Club have both remained open throughout the month of March. Each course has its own restrictions in place, too.

"Business has been good lately," Colfax Country Club employee D.J. Awtry said. "We have pretty good members. Everyone is kind of doing their part in the social distance world we are now in."

Clubhouses at Westwood and Colfax Country Club will stay closed for now.

Gateway Recreation will have shortened clubhouse hours. Golfers can go into the clubhouse to get food or drinks but they are not permitted to stay in the clubhouse.

Westwood's clubhouse will be locked but a limited menu of canned beer, soda and prepared snacks will be available at a table outside the pro shop. Only over the phone credit or debit card payments will be accepted.

"The items will be placed on the table outside of the pro shop in a throw-away bag," Sponseller said. "No outside coolers, food or beverages will be allowed."

Colfax's clubhouse is currently closed to the general public, too. A sliding window will be available for golfers to order from a full bar menu, according to Awtry.

Sponseller said Westwood is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, as long as weather cooperates. Colfax Country Club will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but Awtry said they won't kick anyone off the course if they play past 5 p.m. The hours at Gateway Recreation vary based on the weather, according to course manager Angie Landgrebe.

Landgrebe said one reason they decided to stay open was because Gateway Recreation is 90 percent membership based. Most of those members use their own carts they store in the cart garage on site.

She is also keeping an eye on other courses close to them and Knoxville's Pine Knolls and Pleasantville Country Club both remained open, too.

"We had a meeting and talked about it, but we thought it would be a good place to go to get out of the house and get some exercise," Landgrebe said. "Our members have done a good job following the social distancing guidelines."

Awtry said all golf carts at Colfax Country Club are sprayed down with bleach and soap after use. All city-owned golf carts at Westwood will be cleaned after use, as well.

"The keys will be in carts when you get to them," Sponseller said. "Just leave the keys when you are done and remove all trash, debris and personal items before you return the cart."

Things are rapidly changing due to COVID-19. Sponseller advises golfers stay up to date with the Westwood Golf Course Facebook page.

Here are the other restrictions at Westwood:

• All payments for golfing, food and beverages must be taken over the phone and by credit or debit card only. No cash transactions allowed.

• The clubhouse is locked and closed to the general public. No one is allowed in the clubhouse.

• Tee times are required. No walk ups allowed. Tee times also will be scheduled 15 minutes a part and only four golfers are allowed per tee time.

• Only one person is permitted to use a cart unless it's a couple or family. Westwood is encouraging walking the course if able.

• The driving range will remain closed, but the putting green will be open and cups will be raised so you don't have to reach into the hole to retrieve your ball.

• After a round is complete, no socializing or loitering is allowed.

• Bunker rakes, water coolers and ball washers are not be available for use.

• There are no restrooms available on site.

• Flagsticks are on the greens but cups will be raised. Golfers are asked to not touch the flagsticks.

For more information, contact Westwood Golf Course at 641-792-3087, Colfax Country Club at 515-674-3776 and Gateway Recreation Golf Course at 641-259-3246.

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@newtondailynews.com