The Short Course golf course at Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley can see up to 160 rounds of golf during a March day, the high season for golf courses in the Valley.

But with the coronavirus health crisis sweeping the globe and bringing tourism to a halt, golf rounds have dropped below 100, according to Jesse Thompson, the hotel's sales and marketing director.

Even still, golfers have become the only source of revenue for Mountain Shadows, which has seen occupancy plummet to 6% andits food and beverage sales suspended.

"I can honestly tell you that the only reason Mountain Shadows is still open is because we have that golf course," Thompson said. "It's the only thing that’s keeping the doors open."

Across the U.S., less than half of golf courses are open for play. But in Arizona, a whopping 91% of courses, 277 of them, were operating as of April 8, according to the National Golf Foundation.

Arizona’s golf industry contributed $3.9 billion in sales to the state economy in 2014, according to a study from the University of Arizona.

At the Biltmore and Talking Stick resorts, golf continues even as the resorts have closed.

Gov. Doug Ducey received criticism from some Arizona mayors and residents last month when he designated golf courses as essential businesses, as governors in Nevada, Texas and New York ordered courses to close to adhere with social distancing.

But the revenue from golf rounds has become truly essential for Mountain Shadows, Thompson says.

And Mountain Shadows, which only has been open for three years, has had to temporarily lay off 92% of its staff. Of the 12 or so employees still working at the property, a third of them are working in the golf course.

"We’re just trying to keep people paid and keep the lights on," Thompson said.

Revenue falling at courses, but flattening out in April

While many golf courses in Arizona are able to stay open and sustain at least some of their employees, the numbers are still grim for the industry in the Phoenix area.

Golf courses typically have their highest green fee rates through Easter, according to Mike Loustalot, the co-founder of Sagacity Golf, which collects performance data from 75 Phoenix golf courses.

Those rates typically are supported by winter visitors from other parts of the country and Canada. This year, tourists left once the outbreak gained momentum, he said.

Now, only local Arizona golfers are left, and group events and corporate golf outings have evaporated as business travel has come to a stop.

In March, the number of rounds played fell 23% from last year, with revenue per round down by 32%.

"This dramatic drop in revenue happened at precisely the worst time for the golf industry in Arizona," Loustalot says.

While revenue plummeted in March, the decline seemed to be flattening in the first week of March, according to Sagacity.

Some Valley golf courses have still decided to temporarily close.

The retirement community of Sun City West announced last week that it would shut down all of its golf courses to protect residents and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale has also temporarily closed.

David Bataller, a spokesman for the Arizona Golf Association, said that decisions to close or stay open are being made on a case-by-case basis.

"The messaging has shifted from 'Hey, come play golf!' to, 'If you do decide to come play golf, we’re ready for you,'" Bataller said. "But people need to do the right thing themselves.”

The Arizona Republic contacted several Valley golf resorts who are still operating, but who were reluctant to talk, perhaps due to concerns about backlash from some in the public who don't agree with the designation of golf courses as essential businesses.

Most of those contacted by The Republic did not return a request for comment. A spokeswoman for Arcis Golf, which operates six courses in the Phoenix area, said the company would not conduct interviews at this time.

Is golf a social distancing sport?

Garrett Glynn didn't golf for two weeks at the start of the quarantine period.

Glynn, who lives in Mesa, found himself growing frustrated and irritated working at home. He decided to venture out for a round of golf at Talking Stick Golf Club.

He said employees were wiping down golf carts and ensuring that only people who lived together could share one.

More importantly, he said his mental health improved drastically at home once he went out to play.

"It’s a way to stay sane during this whole time when you’re locked in your house," Glynn said. "You can only walk around the block so many times before you start going nuts."

At Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, golf rounds were full at 180 rounds Friday, and the same number were booked for Saturday, which is typical for this time of year, according to general manager Bob McNichols.

McNichols credits the loyalty of local golfers, and the nature of the game.

Golf, he says, is the perfect sport for social distancing.

"It just so happens that the golf routine is an individual routine. You’re competing with the golf course," he said. "It’s just luck that golf is singled out as a sport that can still be played. It's not a game that anyone decided was pandemic proof."

Staff at Longbow are taking steps to keep their guests safe, including sanitizing carts before and after use, having guests carry their own golf bags and removing putting green flags, McNichols said.

Golf courses across the state are taking similar steps to eliminate touch points that players are accustomed to, according to Bataller.

After the social distancing requirements of the last month, he said the sanitation efforts coul become standard, and that players will become more aware of their personal belongings and what they touch on the course.

But even with changes, golf in Arizona undoubtedly will endure.

"For a lot of people, golf isn’t just a game," Bataller said. "It’s a lifestyle."

Have a tip out of Scottsdale? Reach the reporter Lorraine Longhi at llonghi@gannett.com or 480-243-4086. Follow her on Twitter @lolonghi.

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