Coyote Run 2020-05-01 046
Local News

Coyote Run golf visits exceed expectations

Since reopening, Coyote Run Golf Course has bounced back and seen a large increase in scheduled tee times compared to last year.

Golf is one of the only sports that allows players to follow coronavirus safety precautions, including being socially distant, and the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District was happy to reopen the course May 1.

Course Manager Tom Denklau said the course opened on schedule at the beginning of March, but was forced to close when the state quarantine went into effect in mid-March. Coyote Run shut down for about six weeks, and he was expecting numbers to be off this year.

But Denklau now reports: “We are slightly ahead of last year even with the inventory of tee times decreased by 20 percent” due to Illinois’ COVID-19 restrictions.

A golfer lines up a shot at Coyote Run on May 1, the first day courses were open after a six-week closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Chronicle file photo)

Under the restrictions, golfers in May were only allowed to golf individually or in pairs, and tee times were held to every 15 minutes. That allowed eight golfers on the course in an hour. Course statistics show 2,617 rounds were recorded in May compared to 4,117 rounds in May 2019.

In June, however, restrictions were lifted and foursomes were back on the golf course. That allowed 24 golfers on the course in an hour with tee times recorded every 10 minutes. Denklau reported 5,625 rounds in June, compared to 5,117 rounds in June 2019, when the tee time was every eight minutes.

Also, golf carts are designated for single riders, unless the driver and passenger live in the same house.

Denklau said the golf course has 66 carts, but with single occupancy and high demand he was running out of carts. He has rented an additional 20 golf carts. All carts are sanitized after each use.

Along with tee times filling up, the driving range has been getting a lot of use. Though it is only open at half capacity, Denklau has noticed people are taking advantage of the range, families and beginners included. 

Tee time reservations are being accepted and paid for online at coyoterungolf.com.

Diners at Wiley’s Grill at the Coyote Run clubhouse can enjoy a meal indoors or on the patio and bocce area. Servers wear masks and there’s a maximum of six people to a table. Wiley’s staff also provides curbside meal pickup service. Orders are accepted at wileysgrill.com or 708-957-8774.

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