By Greg Ellison

(April 23, 2020) Although residents are allowed to stroll the cart path, the Ocean Pines Golf Course remains closed during the covid-19 pandemic and is being monitored for activity.

OPA General Manager of Golf Operations John Malinowski said all 18-holes are out of use, following the executive order issued by Gov. Larry Hogan that ended access to all such venues, along with other nonessential businesses.

“If anyone’s playing golf it is against the law,” he said. “They’re disobeying an executive order and because the golf course is closed, it’s trespassing.”

With golf operations being put on hold, and an increased need for those currently sheltering at home to have some activity, residents are being permitted to pass along the cart path.

“We’re allowing people to walk, jog or ride their bikes on the cart path, but they have to stay on the cart path,” he said.

Malinowski stressed, especially without normal maintenance by ground crews, the importance of staying off the course’s fairways and greens.

“Because the golf course is closed, we want people to go get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air,” he said. “There’s zero issues with that.”

Open access to the cart path is typically not advisable.

“Normally, we don’t allow people to do that because it puts … lives in danger with golf balls flying around,” he said.

The pandemic has changed that reality, with Malinowski reiterating that all golf courses and practice areas in the state are closed per Hogan’s directive.

“No one can play golf,” he said. “You can’t go out and play a hole [and] you can’t go out and hit golf balls.”

Malinowski said until restrictions are lifted, the golf course is being monitored by golf staff and the Ocean Pines Police Department.

“If people are violating the law and trespassing they’re going to enforce the law,” he said.