Golf

Big news from Eric Trump ... Donald's son has just announced the family is reopening Trump golf courses in L.A. and Miami with new COVID-19 restrictions.

"We are very excited that Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles and Trump Doral in Miami are reopened," Trump said.

"The courses are absolutely impeccable and our teams are waiting for you!"

Eric -- the executive vice president of the Trump Organization -- also encouraged golfers to call the clubs directly to reserve tee times.

California, Florida and a handful of others are allowing golf courses to operate during the pandemic ... as long as there are strict social distancing protocols in effect.

For example, at both Trump courses players are not allowed to share golf carts -- one rider per vehicle.

Plus, all ball washers and bunker rakes have been removed from the courses so players aren't touching the same, shared equipment.

In other words ... just be smart, keep your distance, wash and sanitize your hands and you can golf your face off.

President Trump has said multiple times he REALLY wants pro sports back in America -- and reopening his own golf courses seem to be a big step in that direction.

Golfers in Florida are back on the tee box ... several courses in the state reopened Wednesday -- and people are flocking in droves to the fairways with masks on!!

Parks in Palm Beach County have eased up lockdown rules as the state shows improvement amid the coronavirus pandemic ... and it didn't take long for residents to get their hacks in.

Check out photos from courses in the Miami area just minutes after they opened back up ... a TON of golfers came out to play -- but it's clear, restrictions are still in place.

Staffers sprayed down range balls with disinfectant and wore gloves ... many people kept at least 6 feet from each other ... and nearly everyone had some sort of face covering.

As for the demand to play ... one course official in the area told the Palm Beach Post this week, "I don't think there has been a moment when the phone hasn't had three lines coming in."

More courses in the state are expected to open up next week -- but remember, PLEASE BE SAFE!!!

Forget the Masters ... here's golf's biggest event of the year now -- TIGER WOODS & PEYTON MANNING VS. PHIL MICKELSON AND TOM BRADY!!!

The quartet of sports legends are reportedly set to hit a course next month in what would be America's first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic.

Details surrounding the matchup are a little bit murky at this point -- CNBC reports contracts are still being finalized -- but what is known is the event would benefit COVID-19 relief efforts.

The showdown is tentatively set for May ... and it's believed that the foursome will play with a small film production crew on a fanless course and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

CNBC reports the matchup could go down on TNT ... and feature some of its biggest star analysts -- like Charles Barkley -- providing off-site commentary during play.

Of course, Phil and Tiger famously battled each other in a 1-on-1 matchup back in November 2018 ... with Mickelson beating Tiger on the 22nd hole to take home a $9 MILLION prize.

Could Manning and Brady alter that fate next month?? Well, Peyton is reportedly an 8-handicap, while Tom is reportedly a 9.

SPORTS ARE BACK, BABY!!!

The United Kingdom's coronavirus lockdown is baaahd for humans who want to play a round of golf, but it's good for flocks of sheep ... the animals are taking over a golf course!!!

Check out this huge flock of sheep roaming free at the Avington Park Golf Course in Winchester, England ... there's about 100 sheep setting up shop on the links, roaming and grazing on grass at the prestigious 32-acre golf course.

The UK is under a strict coronavirus lockdown, and the restrictions bar people from taking hacks on a golf course.

But these sheep are making a case as essential workers, because they're pretty much taking over the role of greenskeepers!

We've seen animals starting to take over the world as humans shelter in place due to the outbreak of COVID-19 ... and this scene is eerily similar to the goats that took over a town in Wales.

It's even happening in the United States ... Santa Monica's parks are being overrun with squirrels.

Sports fans, brace yourselves ... live action could be back on your TV in as few as 8 weeks -- the PGA Tour just announced it's gunning to end its coronavirus suspension on June 8!

The golf circuit shut down play last month amid the COVID-19 pandemic ... but officials just announced a June comeback to the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas is officially on the calendar.

Of course, reps for the org. say the tourney -- along with at least the 3 after it -- will be fanless events ... but admit that could change as more coronavirus info becomes available.

"[The TOUR] will continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of local and state authorities in order to determine the most appropriate on-site access in each market," the org. said in a statement Thursday.

"As such, the TOUR will continually review available COVID-19-related protocols that could be implemented at PGA TOUR events to ensure the health and well-being for all involved."

Several famous tournaments -- most notably the Masters -- have been postponed due to the pandemic ... with the 149th Open Championship being canceled altogether.

But, the PGA Tour says in its statement almost all of the postponed events have new makeup dates ... with the Masters set for Nov. 9-15 now.

"The health and safety of all associated with the PGA TOUR and our global community continues to be our No. 1 priority, and our hope is to play a role -- responsibly -- in the world's return to enjoying the things we love," PGA TOUR commish Jay Monahan said.

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.