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SPORTS
WARF OFFERS VIRTUAL FITNESS CLASSES Visit the Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility website for video fitness classes. You don’t have to be a member. Go to warrentonva.gov.
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Fauquier Times | March 25, 2020
Cabin fever sparks golf craze By Peter Brewington Times Staff Writer
Jimmy Mauro was a busy man Tuesday morning. Maybe even a little bit frantic. The general manager at South Wales Golf Course in Jeffersonton is processing a huge uptick in tee times while educating his golfers about strict new precautions in these coronavirus-stricken times. Only one person at a time is allowed to enter the South Wales clubhouse. Customers can only make snack bar purchases before they head out to play. Only one person at a time is allowed to use the bathroom. Carts are being sanitized religiously. “We want to be extra, extra care-
ful. Everyone six feet apart. We’re Cloroxing all carts, wiping the handles, you name it,” said Mauro. But at least the course is open, which was the question of the day for Virginia golf courses Monday afternoon when Gov. Ralph Northam declared that all recreation facilities, including bowling alleys, movie theaters and fitness centers, must close. Courses have closed randomly in some areas. Three Prince William County public golf courses, Forest Greens, Prince William and Lake Ridge, are closed through March 31. Fairfax County also closed its public courses. Those closings only drive more golfers to courses like South Wales, Stonewall Jackson Golf Course in
COVID-19 cancels Harpole’s dream hike By Peter Brewington Times Staff Writer
After completing the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail in 2018, Doug Harpole of Amissville used 2019 to work on house projects, have knee surgery and bask in the warmth of his amazing feat. For Harpole, the second leg of the triple crown of distance hikes beckoned next month as he planned to hike the COURTESY PHOTO 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Fauquier County's Doug Trail, which winds from Harpole calorie loads during his Campo, Calif., on the 2018 Appalachian Trail hike. Mexican border to British Columbia. Harpole was set to leave April 15 to fly to San Diego. Just last week he learned the PCT was closed for through-hikers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, dashing his plans. The biggest problem was re-supply of food and water, and the ability to get rides into towns, especially in California. “You think you’re safe out there, but you’ve got to come into town eventually,” Harpole said. “I was feeling strong, ready to go. I was upping miles, talking to the doctor about my knee and hiking 8 to 10 miles with a full pack,” said Harpole, 59, who was recently fitted with a high-tech, ultra-light knee brace. “Now I gotta find something to do. I’m still young. There are trails out there, and they’ll be there again,” said the Texas native. His daughter, Natalie, works as a horse trail guide in New Zealand, and he may go hike the 1,864-mile national trail called the Te Araroa there this December. He says his wife, Susan, is happy to have him home. “Oh yeah, especially with this virus. She did not want me out there,” said Harpole, who noted the Appalachian Trail is also closed.
FILE PHOTO
With public golf courses closing in Prince William and Fairfax counties, area golf course owners are relieved to be open. Tee times are way up. Gainesville or Bull Run Golf Club in Haymarket. “Oh yeah, it’s busier. We’re averaging 140 right now. On a normal day we do 100 to 130,” said Kyle Backers, Stonewall’s head golf pro. “We had 160 the other day. People are stuck at home and want to get out. They want a break, that’s what’s going on,” said Mike Tate, general manager at Bull Run. Technically the only course in Fauquier County, the private Fauquier Springs Country Club, is also
taking steps. “We are still open. We are still able to offer everything to our membership with strict guidelines and precautions,” said general manager Shawn Rogers. South Wales had 93 people last Friday, a banner turnout. “It’s getting so busy now. We’re the only public golf course in two counties, Culpeper and Fauquier,” said Mauro. “Golf is the only safe place around. People don’t have any place to go. They’re getting cabin fever.”
Spring sports likely wiped out By Peter Brewington Times Staff Writer
Gov. Ralph Northam’s announcement closing all Virginia schools for the rest of the year appears to effectively end high school spring sports for 2020. “We’re in shock right now,” said Kettle Run activities director Paul Frye. “Any plan we had to get going after spring break is out the door now. We did
have a plan in place to get going then. Now we’re not allowed to do anything.” The Virginia High School League (VHSL) scheduled a crisis management team meeting Tuesday to consider lastditch possibilities to help salvage the season, so stay tuned. FILE PHOTO
With school cancelled the rest of the year, spring sports look unlikely to happen, ending the careers of seniors.
You can still hike, play tennis, pickleball No, washing your hands 15 times a day isn’t aerobic exercise. But hiking, tennis and pickleball all burn calories, and all are still available in some form locally and in Fauquier County. Hiking has become more popular than ever. Parking lots were overflowing Sunday at Sky Meadows State Park, with similar issues along Skyline Drive. Access roads to the popular Old Rag trail were closed down at times this past weekend due to volume. Tennis still an option that allows for exercise at a safe distance. Gary Rzepecki of Fauquier County Parks and Rec says the tennis court at Vint Hill park by the community center is open for play as long as fewer than 10 people are playing. Currently, schools do not allow use of their tennis courts, but some hope that policy could change. “The last word we got from the schools is no recreational activities could take place at the schools,” Rzepecki said. Pickleball is also being played at the one court at Academy Hill Park in Warrenton, where devoted players are connecting through texts to meet while staying under the 10-person limit.
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