Women's Clothier Katherine Way Making Masks, Gowns For Jacksonville Hospitals

Another day, and another one of golf’s small, All-American made companies doing its part to help those on the front lines.

This time it’s Katherine Way, the maker of women’s wear you’ve seen emerge to great acclaim in recent years and a staple at major championship shops, is doing her part for the greater Jacksonville area.

News4Jax’s Lauren Verno explains how Way’s team is using fabrics and a mask kit that allows volunteers to produce masks and soon, isolation gowns for local hospitals.

"We have about 30 women that are making masks for us right now," explained Way.

The people who put together the masks together are not employees. They are volunteers who also want to give back to their community.

Starting this week, Way and her volunteers will start making isolation gowns for Baptist Health hospitals.

For more information on the effort or how to obtain one of Way’s kits from the Jacksonville headquarters, this page explains and updates what is happening.

The company is also accepting donations to purchase more material.

Murray: What Are The Governing Bodies Waiting For To Cancel The Opens?

While we all enjoy the break of imagining fall majors or any kind of tournaments to anticipate, it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine scenarios where any significant professional tournaments are played.

We’re a long way from large crowds gathering. And when they do, at the minimum there will there be spacing, temperature checks, masks and even travel restrictions that still might alter fields even after the return. But, we’ll let the five families keep jockeying over fall dates as the rest of the sports world appears frozen by COVID-19’s spread.

With yesterday’s news of The Open likely headed for cancellation and rather forcefully refuted by Chief Executive Martin Slumbers in a statement, The Guardian’s Ewan Murray is trying to understand what the R&A is waiting on as the pandemic worsens. Is it money? Or their love of matching up certain years with anniversaries?

If the R&A doesn’t know precisely what to do about this year’s Open, something is seriously amiss. Sport has been paralysed by coronavirus, with events and seasons dropping from billboards one by one. It is fanciful to suggest the Kent coast can – or should, in respect of public services – host 200,000 visitors and global competitors in a golf event in little over three months’ time. The R&A, for its many faults, cannot be ignorant over a pandemic.

At the very least, if not providing a full explanation of contingency, the R&A should have put a public line through Sandwich in its standard slot long before now; spectators alone deserve that much. Augusta National is still to issue detail of a 2020 Masters alternative but it was swift in postponing when coronavirus took hold. That the United States Golf Association hasn’t ditched plans for the US Open in New York in June catapults golf into territory beyond Clubhouse Cuckoo Land. They and the R&A set the rules for this game, you know.

Today In Virus Diversionary Content: A Modern (Or Sad?) Take On The Masters Theme

I’m reluctant to ever question the world’s preeminent historian and expert on golf television music, however…

Alex Myers of GolfDigest.com has spotted this “dark twist” on the Masters theme, aka the instrumental version of Dave Loggins’ “Augusta”.

I would agree with Myers that a certain sadness prevails hearing the opening chords while knowing Masters week will be without…The Masters. That said, freelance music producer John Houston channels his inner-Hans Zimmer top serve up a sleak modernization without forgetting the syrup we all adore.

PS - What a world where someone can create that kind of reimagination and share it on The YouTube. This is also my nice way of saying, please Lords, don’t take Houston’s video down.

A One To One Contribution: Seamus Golf Now Offering Masks

The good folks at Seamus Golf briefly shut down their store to move full time into mask making, and they’ve since reopened their online store for orders. And now, you can buy much needed (Made in the USA) masks that will also help fund the company efforts to get more reusable masks to those on the front lines.

While I know Seamus would much rather be making cool golf gear, their timing is excellent for all of us. With some form of facial coverage now suggested by doctors, the task force and local governments, it does not take a great leap of vision to see masks as an essential way of life for some time, perhaps even to gain admittance to a concert or sporting event when a form of normalcy returns.

But in the short term, they are offering two options: $100 for five masks with five going to front line workers, $200 for the same package and a Yes Sir! putting cup.

Protect yourself, protect others and help first responders protect themselves.

Golf's First World Distance Debate Seems Silly In A Very Different Way

I opened up Mike Stachura’s Golf Digest story titled, “The distance resistance”, and couldn’t help but notice the editor’s note: “This article appeared in our latest issue, which went to print in the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.”

In light of thousands of tragic deaths in just weeks, the specter of a massive economic downturn, and uncertainty about what tomorrow will bring, worrying about driving distance seems so…silly.

But more than the absurdity, reading some pre-March 2020 concerns you feel teh undercurrent of distrust of authorities (even if the R&A and USGA are seen as thinking of golf’s long-term viability). The story also hints at the marketplace’s determination to protect the right to spend $600 to pick up 6-yards, no matter the damage done.

That’s why it was a shrewd editor’s note.

Whenever a form of normalcy returns, the excessive weight given to views on distance will all seem so insignificant. Just as there will be a heightened expectation for authorities and companies to be better prepared in the future, it’s not unreasonable to think a similar sentiment will persist in sports.

While there will always be golfers eager to spend $600 on a driver merely to keep up with someone else, even more will find all of that to be of such secondary importance.

Stachura writes:

That future will be about this push and pull between maintaining a connection to golf’s past and embracing the realities of its future participants. The questions we need to ask now are: Would 400-yard drives at a tour event be a tragedy? Would this signal that golf’s connection with its historic championship venues had been severed? Will the cartoonish swing speeds of today’s long-drive competitors become the standard for tomorrow’s PGA Tour players? Would the bond between golf’s elite players and its paying customers be broken or heightened by extraordinary driving distances?

The days of worrying about the answers already seems long gone.

Shrewd editor’s note.

The “authorities” in all sectors will be expected to do what’s best for the long term good. Including in sports and in golf.

Just a few weeks time, certain values held up as vital to golf’s future now seem trivial, particularly the idea that people play golf to see how far they can hit the ball or watch golf for the distance chases.

Given that every golfer current deprived of golf just wants to be out playing again, how far their drives fly seems like an excess of negligible importance. The short and long term viability of courses was, is and will be all that matters.

Postponement: April Fools Eyes Fall Schedule Slot

Sorry, that’s all I’ve got this year. Following a day hundreds of Americans succumbed due to an awful virus, April Fools quietly agreed to postpone until fall.

But hey, when you’ve been around for over fifteen years, there are archives.

Some age better than others and hopefully the next April Fool’s Day will feel more jovial. A few recent favorites based on theme.

Masters, Masters, Masters: Sergio gets his own dedicated walking official, Justine Reed the first spouse to attend Champions Dinner, when Billy Payne joined Twitter, Club precautions for Tiger’s wedge issues, Poulter and McDowell lose invites after social posts.

Involving A Future President, Division: Donald Trump is admitted to Augusta National, and he buys Bandon Dunes.

Pisser offers: Sweater folders and the May PGA, USGA needing a liason between staff and committees, the R&A continuing their odd locations for merch tents.

Media Matters: Golf Digest forms ranking of golf’s top Task Forces, British Press pre-celebrates a Rory 2015 Grand Slam, Charlie Rymer named grand marshal of The Villages parade.

NGF Survey Of U.S. Courses And Clubs: Where Golf Is Open For Business, Consumer Confidence And Other Notes

The National Golf Foundation has been busy surveying course owners as well as studying other data to give an update in the U.S. golf industry as of March 31, 2020.

From President Joe Beditz’s letter explaining the effort:

 To begin with, over the course of this past week NGF conducted a telephone poll of just over 1,000 golf courses nationwide to objectively assess the impact of the coronavirus on golf course operations. We’ll continue to poll courses in the weeks ahead so we can track these effects and as we more fully turn our attention to studying the human and business impacts of this pandemic.
 
The findings of our golf facility poll are the centerpiece of a new COVID-19 webpage we’ve created that also provides key data regarding which states have placed restrictions on golf, course operators’ perceptions, consumer research that reveals how playing and purchasing behaviors have been affected, and other interesting information. Click here to see the results of our poll and check out the rest of the site: www.thengfq.com/covid-19

Among the topics covered in the survey research:

—As of March 27, 2020 an estimated 74% of in-season U.S. golf courses remain open despite the coronavirus pandemic.

—Golf rounds were up significantly (+15.2%) thru February.

—Core golfers who were planning on equipment purchases now suggest they'll simply delay. We'll continue to monitor this sentiment.

—Roughly 35% of independent/regional golf retailers remain open.

The one genuinely confounding finding no matter how you feel about whether golf should be played right now: the number of surveyed courses NOT restricting access to confined spaces beyond the 87% for dining areas:

"Old-style frugality pays off for PGA pro in uncertain times"

Andrew Both of Reuters checks in with Australian Cameron Percy, a PGA Tour journeyman who observes quite a bit about the current shutdown. Of particular note is Percy’s perspective “borne of a modest Australian upbringing and an acknowledgement of the precarious nature of his profession even at the best of times.”

From Both’s piece:

“Every pro I’ve ever known has had a year where they’ve played like crap,” the amiable 45-year-old said at the Country Club of Wakefield Plantation course where he lives with his wife and three boys adjacent to the second hole in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“I’ve always put money aside in case (of loss of form or injury). I drive a $20,000 car (Nissan Altima), don’t have a boat. Mum and dad taught me to save.

“My accountant is always suggesting I put money in the stock market but most of it is in the bank. What I’ve found from this (pandemic-related economic contraction) is that people don’t save any money any more.”

Percy is currently appreciating time resting his injured wrist, the result of a freak fall. Adam Stanley with Percy’s story overcoming the injury to regain his card.

Add Summit Golf Brands To The List Of Small Companies Doing Their Part

GolfDigest.com’s Sam Weinman chats with Summit Golf Brands’ creative director Billy Draddy about their move into N95 masts. The Wisconsin-based manufacturer of Fairway & Greene, Zero Restriction and B. Draddy golfwear designed a prototype mask and has had it approved for emergency-care workers near its Wisconsin plant.

From the Q&A:

Q: So a part of you is busy with that and part is surely paying attention to what’s happening in the world. At what point did you realize you might be able to help?

A: A week ago Thursday, we got an email through our customer-service department from one of our customers who had suggested that we could make masks for emergency-care workers. I spent the weekend developing a first prototype. We got on a conference call on Monday to discuss, then looped in our Wisconsin warehouse team who would be responsible for executing. I sent my first prototype out to them. Then through our in-house embroidery and heat-sealing machinery developed two prototypes that we then took to the Wisconsin Emergency Management Agency.

Yet another small company with a passion for the sport doing its part. Well done!

In other news, Seamus Golf has reopened their online store after spending the last week focused on mask-making that continues on. Requests can still be made by emergency workers at SeamusGolf.com.

Roundup: Majors Jockeying For Fall Positions, PGA Tour Aiming For Mid-May Restart, Irish Open Postponed

Given the fluidity of the situation and the overall unlikelihood of a significant event being played for some time, I find the hope of at least seeing some tournaments later this year a decent diversion.

Ron Green covered all of this in his Global Golf Post look at the best case scenario planning, including the challenge of the majors trying to be played on television against the NFL and college football games that could resume.

Television factors into the equation as well, with the behemoth that is the NFL seemingly still ready to re-emerge in September. CBS, which televises the Masters, and Fox Spots, which airs the U.S. Open, would have serious scheduling issues.

GolfDigest.com's Joel Beall and Brian Wacker have tried to decipher sources and tea leaves to figure out a possible major schedule that starts with a late July PGA, a September Open Championship, an October U.S. Open and an early November Masters. The latter two would have to reduce their field size given the length of days and time it takes to move a field around.

This schedule, admittedly a best-case-scenario situation, would appear to be working around the PGA Tour’s playoff events. However, it’s hard to imagine many outside of Ponte Vedra Beach would prefer to see the playoff events contested over majors, particularly if the Grand Slam events have to reduce…playing opportunities by playing when the days are shorter. Graeme McDowell has already echoed the sentiment that majors take priority over all else. Common sense says the playoffs should come after the majors.

Green in his GGP column also featured this quote from Kevin Kisner regarding the PGA Tour’s thinking on a mid-May restart.

“The No. 1 thing we need to do is get back to work. They may try to expand some fields so guys can catch up with playing opportunities but it all depends on when we go back.”

The intention to return in mid-May at Colonial was echoed in this Daniel Rappaport story about the PGA Tour’s loan program for players based on their FedExCup status.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has been postponed, meaning the earliest restart in Europe would come in June.

The European Tour’s statement:

Postponement of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

The European Tour today confirmed the postponement of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open due to the continuing threat posed by the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The tournament was scheduled to be the European Tour’s second Rolex Series event of 2020, taking place at Mount Juliet Estate from May 28-31, with Major Champion Graeme McDowell as host. 

Keith Pelley, European Tour Chief Executive, said: “The decision to postpone the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open follows consultation with all stakeholders and was made with public health and well-being as our absolute priority. Our thoughts are with everyone right now and we are all united in trying to fight the spread of the pandemic. 

“With this in mind, we will continue to evaluate all aspects of our 2020 European Tour schedule, and discussions on the rescheduling of postponed events will remain ongoing until we have clarity on the global situation.”

And the Tokyo Olympics have been rescheduled for next July 23 to August 8th, meaning we get to do schedule “compaction” all over again next year. Oddly, that tedious topic seems refreshingly quaint these days.

PGA Of America Will Be Collecting Member Dues Despite COVID-19 Shutdown

Facing the prospect of a shutdown in the busiest time of year for America golf professionals, some organization members are unhappy at the recent PGA Of America dues call.

Jonathan Doctor, owner of JMJ Golf, filed an open letter to the PGA of America after the organization emailed members moving ahead with their normal dues payments for its 28,000 members.

Even with most golf professionals facing the prospect of reduced or no income, the organization reminded members in an email that dues must be paid on time despite the coronavirus shutdown.

However, the PGA did voice empathy in their email:

PGA Professionals will now have two payment options: Pay full dues amount any time through July 31, 2020 without penalty or late fee. Pay Section dues amount only any time through July 31, 2020 without penalty or late fee. Pay National dues ($100), Life ($44), Liability ($12 and MAP ($6) by October 31, 2020 without penalty or late fee.

“During these extraordinarily challenging times for so many PGA Professionals, we have worked closely with our 41 sections to find the best path forward regarding 2020 dues payments,” said PGA President Suzy Whaley. “While we wish it was possible to waive dues for all members, as a 501(c) 6 not-for-profit organization, IRS regulations do not allow us to take such an action.

Doctor, in questioning the dues reminder in the heat of an unfolding pandemic (as per the organization by-laws, it should be noted), writes:

Maybe the view from Palm Beach Gardens is a little hazy, but the $70 billion dollar global golf industry isn't as healthy as that number would lead people to believe. Expenses to operate facilities have never been higher. Social regard for the game and for country clubs has never been more critical. Available talent to fill positions in golf facilities has never been more scarce. And the PGA Professional is without doubt the facility owners and management groups automatic reset button for cutting a budget and showing facility savings to the bottom line. It has become more difficult than ever to justify to facilities, members and students, as well as young professionals the need to even BE a PGA Member.

As of its most recently available tax documents for the 2018 tax year, the non-profit PGA of America has about $360 million in net assets and fund balances.

But as noted, the dues collection is in their by-laws as part of their 501(c) 6 status.

European Tour's Finest: "I am not your hero"

With their fingers on the pulse of the world and not their pocketbook, some of the European Tour’s finest chime in for a perfectly timed message as thousands suffer and brave souls try to help them. Thanks to reader Shotmaker for highlighting this…

Thank you to our real heroes. Stay safe everyone. pic.twitter.com/cuSpew8yqc

— Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) March 28, 2020

Linksoul's T-Shirt To Benefit The Center For Disaster Philanthropy

The Carlsbad clothier of quality gear is asking $40 for this Geoff Cunningham-designed t-shirt to provide funds for the Center For Disaster Philanthropy.

Linksoul writes on Instagram:

They have a COVID-19 direct relief fund that specifically helps the most vulnerable populations affected by this crisis, including hourly wage workers, the elderly, and those with disabilities. They also connect with NGOs to provide desperately needed supplies to those on the front lines in our hospitals. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
We are accepting pre-orders immediately and expect to ship this limited edition t-shirt by the end of April. Order today, and we will keep you updated by email.⁣⁣ (Link in bio to shop)⁣
⁣⁣⁣
Together, we can #flattenthecurve. We'd love for you to help shape our community's conversations in the days and weeks to come. Reach out to us on here, or comment below to share your thoughts - we're here for you.⁣⁣⁣
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Look out for one another, and be well. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
The Linksoul Family⁣⁣

View this post on Instagram

Like many of you, our thoughts are with those impacted by COVID-19, their loved ones, and all of our communities. We at Linksoul are working from home in an effort to help #flattenthecurve. But with your help, we can do much more.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ We posted this design by @parnography last week, where you suggested we make it into one of our soft t-shirts. We heard you loud and clear, and not only did we create the shirt, we are giving 100% of the proceeds to Center for Disaster Philanthropy.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ CDP is a top charity in transparency and accountability, as recognized by Charity Navigator. They have a COVID-19 direct relief fund that specifically helps the most vulnerable populations affected by this crisis, including hourly wage workers, the elderly, and those with disabilities. They also connect with NGOs to provide desperately needed supplies to those on the front lines in our hospitals. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ We are accepting pre-orders immediately and expect to ship this limited edition t-shirt by the end of April. Order today, and we will keep you updated by email.⁣⁣ (Link in bio to shop)⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Together, we can #flattenthecurve. We'd love for you to help shape our community's conversations in the days and weeks to come. Reach out to us on here, or comment below to share your thoughts - we're here for you.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Look out for one another, and be well. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ The Linksoul Family⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #linksouldier #community #flattenthecurve #lowstinger #listentoyourcaddie #thintowin #backofyourstance #closetheface #wegotthis

A post shared by LINKSOUL (@linksoul) on Mar 27, 2020 at 8:34am PDT

Today In Much-Needed Diversionary Content: Shark's 1980s Beer Commercial

Greg Norman knew we needed some 80’s schmaltz to laugh at, I think. Posting this doozy of a commercial for Swan Lager, and while the theme song is cringe worthy and potentially harmful to your mental well-being in these trying times, it’s worth the risk.

And do note the re-creation of Norman’s win at Turnberry, down to the Lyle & Scott yellow sweater along with a Tommy Nakajima stand in. Spectacular stuff!

No matter what anyone says we all can make it! Sending positive vibes to all today, we WILL get through this chaos. Hope this lightens your day. Be safe, smart, and above all stay healthy. #TBT pic.twitter.com/RozVQV8N0i

— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) March 26, 2020

R&A Guidelines: What Is "Essential Maintenance" During A Pandemic?

As golf shuts down in many regions, there is natural inclination to wonder about maintenance. Not because anyone will be Stimping greens or measuring blade heights when a course reopens. We hope.

However, as know from Depression and World War era reports, golf courses that shut down were often lost or never quite the same due to a lack of maintenance. So to avoid compounding the economic problems induced by the COVID-19 virus, basic maintenance of many things must continue to avoid a world returning to deeper-than-necessary setbacks.

While there will always be detractors, doing basic maintenance will keep a facility going, keep some workers employed and reduce damage done by a shutdown. So kudos to the R&A for issuing these maintenance guidelines to address the governmental restrictions in the UK. (And for the posting by England Golf.)

Here goes:

Essential Maintenance Statement for Golf Courses during Covid 19 Outbreak

The following statement outlines those treatments considered essential for maintaining a golf course during the current government restrictions. It is accepted that golf courses exist in many different forms, on many different soil types and in differing landscapes and that this guidance may require adaption.

Mowing Greens

Greens should be mown according to the rate of growth to a maximum of three times per week. Dew removal should be considered on non-mowing days as required to prevent disease spread.

Tees and green surrounds should be mown according to the rate of growth to a maximum of once per week.

Fairways should be mown according to the rate of growth to a maximum of once per week.

Managed roughs and grass paths should be mown according to need to a maximum of once every two weeks (fortnightly). Only roughs considered to be in direct play should be mown allowing for naturalisation to areas largely out of play.

The height of cut adopted for all these areas is site specific but the elevation of the cutting height on fine turf areas is advised to minimise unnecessary stress on the turf. The aim of the above operations is to maintain uniformity, density, texture and health to allow surfaces to be quickly brought back to an appropriate playing standard once play resumes.

Irrigation and Nutrition

Irrigation and nutrition should be carried out as necessary but with the objectives of keeping the turf alive, maintaining a full sward and preventing turf thinning.

Avoid excesses of either input which will only serve to promote unnecessary growth and necessitate more maintenance.

Machinery and Equipment Maintenance

This should be carried out as required to ensure that essential equipment is kept safe and operational.

*Operations such as maintaining penalty areas (including bunkers), wider practice facilities(other than greens and tees), aeration, top dressing and spraying are not considered essential at this time. However, it is conceivable that occasional spraying to control an acute pest, weed or disease problem may be considered essential at times and in some circumstances.

Given the fluidity of the current situation there may be a requirement to update and re-issue this guidance in respect of future government advice.

The R&A also has this page of links and other notes for golfers and facilities.