Sunny days at Mohegan Sun

Mohegan Sun GC in Baltic, Conn., hasn’t yet opened for the season, so the facility hasn’t taken a huge blow due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Once the facility does open for the season, it can expect golfers as the governor of Connecticut has declared that golf can continue in the state with modified measures, such as practicing social distancing and staying on top of sanitizing equipment.

Superintendent Chris Ellsmore says many of the public courses in the area have already opened up to golfers.

“Right now, we’re playing it by ear as to when we will open and seeing how things progress or digress over the next couple weeks,” Ellsmore says.

Because the course is tied to a larger resort organization, much of the golf course maintenance staff has been furloughed.

“We’re working but at a reduced staff level, plugging away at it. We have a skeleton crew, enough to do what we need to do to maintain the course,” Ellsmore says. “It’s just a few of us so our mechanic is in the shop and the rest of us are on the course, spaced out. (Employees) are happy to be at work and soaking up some sunshine.”

Ellsmore says once the Mohegan Sun’s season does get started, the course will allow walking-only golfers.

“Once things get going here, our play is resort driven so I think we’ll be just fine once it gets going,” he says.