Team Soboba’s head coach Ricardo Macias said about 20 players who attended practices consistently since the season started on April 3 were expected to play during the sessions that began with the first tee off at 1 p.m. and concluded at 7 p.m.

Players were divided into age groups with those 12-18 playing nine holes, 8-11 years old playing six holes and the youngest at 5-7 years old, playing three holes. Two players from each team were paired with another team to create a foursome. Assistant coaches Mike Durrett, Steve Lopez and Andy Silvas joined Soboba Team players on the course as they teed off during staggered times at various holes.

“This sport has been really popular with the 5 to 11 age group,” Macias said. “Most were new to the sport but a couple of them go out golfing with their parents and are familiar with the sport.”

He said there were two practice sessions held each week, based on age groups, and players were taken to the driving range and played a few of the holes.

Siblings Ciara Ramos, 15, and Jeremiah Ramos, 17, never played golf before but were enjoying learning the game.

“It’s fun,” Ciara said. “I like trying something I’ve never done before. I also like coming out after the quarantine and enjoying the day out here.”

Inter Tribal Sports offered its inaugural season of golf as a way to continue serving youth during the pandemic that prevented its traditional sports, such as flag football, to be offered during this time of the year. ITS Executive Director Isaiah Thompson said golf is a great sport that allows individual competition and the ability for participants to keep a safe distance while competing.

After offering golf clinics at local ranges, players have been given the opportunity to play at locations such as Soboba Springs Golf Course to give them a real experience at playing a game.

“All the courses offer a variety of things that improve golfing skills, such as strength,” Thompson said. “This was made possible thanks to all the tribes.”

Tyson Magginni, head coach for Team La Jolla, said he had a dozen players on the course with all but one or two that were brand new to the sport. He added that it’s been a good opportunity to get the kids away from television and off their couches. His team members were given Fitbits to track how many steps they put in while walking the course.

“They’re having fun, and this is a great course; it’s beautiful out here with all the trees,” he said. “It’s cool to see the kids grow into the sport. I tell them that in this game, all it takes is one good shot.”

ITS Site Supervisor Coralynn Bradley was busy checking in players, doing COVID screenings, answering questions and referring players and their families to the ITS Help Desk for tee off times and locations.

“It’s been great working with all the different tribes for this season,” she said. “All the tribes have been really supportive.”

Team Soboba player Gage Almanza, 17, said this was his first time on the Soboba Springs Golf Course but that he was enjoying the game he was learning and hopes to keep it up after the season ends.

Fara Lopez signed her daughter up for Team Soboba because after all these months of online school, she wanted to see her get outdoors and participate in some sports.

Nataane Lopez, 7, said she likes when she swings the club and the ball goes “really far.” In the past she has stayed active by playing basketball, softball and soccer.

The championship games will be held on May 15 at Pechanga’s Temecula Creek Inn golf course.

Inter Tribal Sports combines athletics with wellness and cultural programs for Native youth in Southern California, to unify tribal youth and communities. The Temecula-based nonprofit will be hosting its 11th ITS Golf Tournament Fundraiser on June 11 at Journey at Pechanga.

Information can be found online at www.intertribalsports.org or by phone at 951-719-3444.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians • Contributed

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So many people have been holed up at home during these past few weeks that it was a welcome relief to golf enthusiasts to hear they could once again get back to the 18 holes found at a golf course. Soboba Springs Golf Course is among others in Riverside County that were given the green light to open their greens once again and reopened on April 25.

Jason Cozart, Soboba Casino Resort’s Assistant Manager, was quick to put things in motion to open the course for limited use as outlined by the Health Officer for the County of Riverside, Dr. Cameron Kaiser, and the County Executive Officer as Director of Emergency Services George Johnson. The conditions include golfers play in groups of no more than four persons with all participants adhering to social distancing practices. No caddies are permitted at this time. Groundskeepers have been maintaining the course throughout its closure and all regular maintenance and upkeep has been ongoing.

Cozart said he looks forward to seeing regulars and newcomers out on the golf course greens under blue skies during the upcoming sunny days. The National Golf Course Owners Association has developed a “Park and Play: Making Your Course Social Distance Ready” program. For the purpose of this order, social distancing requires a six-foot separation from all persons except for household members and medical providers with the appropriate personal protection equipment. “The Park and Play guidelines have been out for some time, even before the county order allowing courses to reopen,” Cozart said.

“We have been preparing for implementation even prior to our closure. We are happy that the county has seen fit to allow us to operate, and we will make sure that our staff as well as our guests adhere to all safety guidelines.” He said many of the sanitizing protocols were already in place and those practices will be continued. Some additional adjustments were made to be in full compliance with all aspects of the Park and Play program. For the time being, no large gatherings can occur at any time before June 20, pending further Order of the Public Health Officer. This includes, but is not limited to, tournaments or fundraisers.

The order also requires social distancing be practiced in all ancillary use areas of the golf course which includes parking areas, clubhouses, driving ranges and practice putting greens. Face coverings must always be worn by those working at or playing on the golf course and in all ancillary use areas. Food and beverage services provided by or at the golf course may only operate on a delivery or pick-up basis with social distancing practices maintained at all times. No in-person dining shall be permitted. “We would like to remind our guests to bring their own water to ensure they stay hydrated, especially as we move into warmer days,” Cozart said.

The decision to open golf courses on a limited basis came after the release of substantial guidance from the Health Officer, the California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health officials throughout the United States and around the world. It was made in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. Soboba Springs Golf Course has tee times available from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. seven days a week and its Pro Shop is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The shop will limit access in accordance with social distancing and will only accept credit/debit card transactions until further notice.

Tee times can be booked online at www.soboba.com/golf or by calling the Pro Shop directly at 951-654-4300.

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Players must follow rules laid out by the Riverside County Health Department, under recommendations of the Park and Play program from the National Golf Course Owners Association. The Park and Play program gives golfers confidence that they can drive to the course, park their cars, get to and around the course, and back to the parking lot in as safe an environment as possible.

Golfers must follow the rules of social distancing and remain six feet away from each other. Face coverings must be worn at all times on the Echo Hills property. All tee times must be made in advance, no walk ups will be accepted.

Tee time intervals will be increased to spread out players on the course. Golfers may not enter the pro shop or gather on the patio. Markings will be placed to show players where to line up. The county order allows just one person per cart so it’s suggested that those who can walk do so. There are a limited number of carts available.

They can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival at the course. Carts must be picked up and returned to designated areas. They will be sanitized by staff after each use. Players must leave the pin in the cup at all times.

Rakes will be removed from the course and areas will be played as non hazards. Golf balls may be placed in any bunker on the course. Golfers are encouraged to leave right after their round and not gather in the parking lot.

Echo Hills Golf Course, which is owned and operated by Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, is at 545 E. Thornton Ave., Hemet. It is a 2,229-yard, nine-hole, par 35 course.

For tee times, call 951-652-2203 or visit gorecreation.org.

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