LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Lexington mayor's office announced that the city's five golf courses will be reopening on Wednesday April 22, with social distancing requirements in place.

“You’re going to see those changes but it’s still going to be golf. You’re still going to go out there and have fun,” said Curtis Mitchell, director of the city’s golf services.

There will only be one passenger allowed in each golf cart and tee times will be 15 minutes apart.

The carts will be sanitized between rounds of play.

Golfers will need to pre-book tee times and pay for rounds through the city’s website prior to arriving.

“It's all planned out ahead. It gives us a chance to have an understanding of what we're doing for the day,” said Mitchell.

Golf courses were closed at the end of March due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. Now that the online booking system has been launched, Mitchell said the city’s golf courses are better prepared to protect both employees and customers.

“With golf, we have a unique situation where you’re out in the middle of a big field chasing a little ball around and you can do that away from other people.”

There are several events canceled next month. Those include the Big Band and Jazz concerts (May 19 and 26), Southland Jamboree, and Friday Flicks (May 29) at Jacobson Park.

No announcement has been made on when the city expects to reopen parks, nature trails or sports areas like basketball and tennis courts.

