Golf

The State of Nevada has finally shut down golf courses over coronavirus fears -- and surprise, O.J. Simpson ain't happy about it.

In fact, Juice thinks the move will hurt older golfers whose only form of exercise is hitting the links.

"I play with a lot of different guys, one of the groups is an older group where 3 of the guys are over 80 and two of them had strokes," Simpson said

"They don't have dogs to walk and couldn't if they wanted to. Their only exercise is golf. So, unfortunately they wont be able to play golf so I just hope they find other ways to get outdoors and get some exercise."

How considerate, right?

Of course, the move to shut down golf in Nevada was announced Wednesday -- with Gov. Steve Sisolak explaining that Nevada golfers couldn't seem to follow the social distancing rules.

"I’ve had a multitude of pictures sent into me that showed me people were not practicing good social distancing, not arriving one in a cart," Sisolak said.

"They were congregating on the greens. We tried it. It didn’t work because some folks chose not to follow the rules. As a result we are closing golf courses."

Simpson -- who basically lives at the golf course -- disagreed with Sisolak.

"Ya know, I thought the golfers were doing a pretty good job on the social distancing."

So, what will O.J. do with all of his free time now? Maybe get back to finding the "real killer?"

Tiger Woods didn't let the pandemic stop one of the greatest traditions in golf -- the Masters Champions dinner -- only this time, it was WAY smaller than usual.

Every year, the reigning Masters champ hosts a lavish dinner for his rival golfers at Augusta National ... and the winner usually customizes the menu with meaningful (and usually pricey) food items.

Since coronavirus threw a huge wrench in this year's plans, Tiger pivoted -- and threw a much smaller dinner for his girlfriend, Erica Herman, and his kids, Sam and Charlie.

"Masters Champions Dinner quarantine style," Tiger says ... "Nothing better than being with family."

Woods even busted out his Green Jacket for the meal -- another tradition he's dead set on carrying on! Did you notice the replica trophy on the table?!

Unclear exactly what he served up, but it looks like Tiger had some sushi, some meat ... and cupcakes!!

By the way, the 2020 Masters has been postponed to November -- with the Champions Dinner tentatively scheduled to go down on Nov. 10 ... as long as the pandemic is over by then.

Kenya officials have just imposed a country-wide ban on golf ... closing down all courses over fears the play could further the spread of coronavirus.

Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, made the announcement Tuesday, chastising golfers for not properly following social distancing guidelines during the global pandemic.

"It is not a secret that even in golf clubs, golf clubs have also been abused," Kagwe said. "Consequently, all golf clubs must be closed with immediate effect."

Kenya reportedly only has 172 confirmed cases of COVID-19 ... but it's clearly taking every precaution to make sure that number stays low.

Of course, other major areas of the United States have followed similar paths when it comes to golf ... with even Los Angeles banning the sport as well.

However, states like Florida and Arizona are still allowing golfers to hit tee boxes ... pissing off some residents who fear the courses could become coronavirus hot spots.

The Open Championship -- the oldest golf tournament in the world -- has been officially canceled ... all because of coronavirus.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews made the announcement Monday ... with the chief executive saying they tried everything to make the 149th Open Championship happen in July.

"I can assure everyone that we explored every option for playing The Open this year but it is not going to be possible," Martin Slumbers said of the cancellation.

Now, the plan is to move everything back a year ... with the 149th Open scheduled to take place at Royal St. George's in England in 2021 ... and the 150th anniversary tourney being pushed to 2022.

The PGA is expected to make announcements Monday about the fate of its high-profile events -- including the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, Masters, Ryder Cup and PGA Tour.

There is hope the Ryder Cup could proceed as scheduled -- with organizers hoping the pandemic is contained by Sept.

Meanwhile, golf courses all over America are still open for business -- as reported, officials in Arizona deemed golf an essential activity ... as long as players stay a safe distance apart on the links.

Golfers in Arizona can still get their hacks in amid stay-at-home orders ... the state has declared the sport essential -- and some residents are PISSED over the exception.

Officials laid down the new rules in the Grand Canyon State this week ... forcing Arizonans to shelter in place unless they had good reason to leave -- like for jobs or essential activities.

In the order, they deem golf -- along with walking, hiking, running and biking -- as essential exercises ... and some feel that ain't helping stop the spread of coronavirus one bit.

Of course, while on the links, it's pretty easy to social distance ... but there are definite problem areas at the golf facilities nonetheless.

Practice greens, ranges and the starting area can all get backed up with people ... and we're told some residents in Arizona are seeing their golf-course-lined neighborhoods turn into gathering areas as well.

It'll be interesting to see if Arizona maintains the sport as essential ... remember, California initially kept its courses open during stay-at-home orders before shutting them down just days later.

Baseball might be on hiatus ... but the greatness of Mike Trout sure as hell ain't -- he just hit a ridiculous golf trick shot while in isolation -- and the video is insane!!

The L.A. Angels superstar has been following the rules and staying away from people amid the coronavirus outbreak ... and clearly that's given him some time to become amazing with his wedge.

Check out the clip ... the 28-year-old outfielder went upstairs and hit a ping-pong ball straight into a tiny Solo cup!!

You can see by Trout's reaction ... there was no editing there, 'cause the guy went absolutely NUTS after it splashed home!!!

"#TIGERVISION," Trout wrote of the shot.

It could be a few more weeks until players get back on the diamond -- the league has suspended play indefinitely -- but stars across the MLB sure are providing us great content in the meantime.

Check out how Boston Red Sox slugger Michael Chavis is spending his time in quarantine ... dude went YARD off his girlfriend in a Wiffle ball game!!

Famous golf courses all over the country are still keeping their fairways open despite the coronavirus pandemic ... with some telling TMZ Sports there are no restrictions on the course.

Golf ain't exactly a contact sport ... and it seems well-known courses in the U.S. know this, 'cause most clubhouse officials tell us they aren't changing a whole lot of policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Most major private clubs -- a la Augusta National and Pine Valley GC -- aren't in season yet ... but officials from some of those courses tell us they're planning on business as usual when they open in April and May.

As for public courses ... the ones that are in-season -- like Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Bethpage in New York -- explained to us tee times can still be had with little-to-no limitations on play.

A few notable public courses in Northern California tell us they're closed due to the "shelter in place" regulations inputted by local authorities ... but the plan for those courses is to open up once the orders are lifted.

As for the Los Angeles area, prior to governor Gavin Newsom's "stay at home" order Thursday night ... we're told public courses were still open with regulations.

Officials from one course told us they removed ball washers from tee boxes, and rakes from bunkers ... and instructed players to not pull pins on the greens.

It seems clear they'll all be shutting down after Newsom's speech Thursday, however.

Meanwhile, almost every other course we spoke with tells us their food and drink shops are takeout only.

Of course, golfers all over the U.S. still want to play -- as O.J. Simpson pointed out in a video Wednesday, it's pretty easy to social-distance while playing the sport.

O.J. Simpson is pleading with golf courses nationwide -- PLEASE stay open during the coronavirus scare ... or old dudes across the country are gonna lose their damn minds.

While he continues his search to find the "real killer," O.J. spends a lot of time on the links ... and on Wednesday, he voiced his frustrations with his local course planning to close during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"You don't really get that close to one another on a golf course," O.J. said. "And, I think for some of the older guys that golf as their only exercise, I think it's gonna hurt them if you start closing all the golf courses."

"I'm just saying, and if you do close them, you better open up some insane asylum, get me a bed because I know if I can't play golf for the next month, I'ma go crazy."

A tradition unlike any other ... has just bit the dust --  at least for now.

The Augusta National Golf Club has announced the 2020 Masters Tournament -- the most prestigious event in pro golf -- is postponed over coronavirus.

"Respecting the health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community, the 2020 Masters tournament, the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals have been postponed."

The Masters was scheduled to kick off on April 9 at Augusta -- and organizers had considered holding the tourney without fans.

But, as the pandemic grows and health experts warn against public gatherings of any kind, the powers that be decided to pull the plug ... at least for now.

Augusta chairman Fred Ridley says ... "Ultimately, the health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision."

"We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date."

"We will continue to work with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the City of Augusta and all other local authorities. We are grateful to all of these entities for their exceptional efforts and guidance."

Unclear when officials are looking to reschedule -- seems everyone is in wait and watch mode.