On August 18th the Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine signed an Ohio Department of Health order that permitted contact sports to move forward with games against other schools. The Governor confirmed support for Ohio’s coaches to inspire student-athletes to continue following safety precautions so that all sports can be played.
Field hockey, soccer and football joined the previously approved fall sports of girls and boys golf, girls tennis, girls volleyball, and girls and boys cross country to the list of acceptable high school sports competitions.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association worked closely with the Governor’s Office and the Ohio Department of Health toward a new health order that contains modifications to assure the safety of every athlete.
“I hope that the desire to have a season will inspire our young people, our athletes, our student-athletes, 24/7 to be as careful as they can,” said Governor DeWine during his press conference. “I hope also that our coaches will use this an opportunity to focus on helping these young people understand what really is at stake. If they are going to be able to play, that they are going to have to do everything they can to keep COVID out of their team.”
With the formal regulations in place the schedule was finalized for the upcoming OHSAA golf season.
Formal practice began August 1st and competitions commenced August 5th. Sectionals for Girls Division II and the Boys Division II and III will commence September 28-October 3. Districts will be held October 5-10 and the State Championship will be held at NorthStar Golf Club and at the Ohio State University Golf Courses October 16-17.
Both Boys and Girls Division I Sectionals will be contested October 5-10, Districts will be October 12-17 and the State Championships will be held the following weekend, October 23-24 on the Scarlet and Gray courses at Ohio State.
Good LUCK to all Ohio High School Golfers in 2020!
