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CNY Air Quality Impacting Golf Courses CNY Air Quality Impacting Golf Courses

Unhealthy air quality in CNY is impacting outdoor sports, especially golf

By Madeline Mustion

Maddie Mustion: Golf courses are normally a quiet place, but not this quiet…. With the current air quality warning across central New York, many golfers are staying inside. Sydney Linkiewicz says she has seen one fourth of their normal capacity because of it.

Sydney Linkiewicz: “It’s been very slow today. Probably the slowest day I have worked. There’s only been like three golfers. Maybe. So there really hasn’t been, like anyone coming in.”

Mustion: With the warning urging Central New Yorkers to limit their time outside, some have still shown up to play a round

Linkiewicz: “I mean, I know a lot of people are concerned about it, so it’s kind of just like half and half. I think some people are just like just going to do what they want and others are more concerned.”

Mustion: One of those golfers is Jim who was more confused at this strange haze than concerned.

Jim: “I played golf yesterday and it didn’t phase me, but it’s odd. It’s odd. I don’t think it hasn’t changed any of my behaviors, but it could if it got worse.

Mustion: In his many years of golfing in the area, Jim said that although he has never seen this type of weather, it shouldn’t impact his game.

Jim: “I don’t think so. It’s kind of odd. It seems like it’s gonna rain. It just feels like it drives your brain to tell it’s gonna rain. I don’t think it will affect too much.”

Mustion: The air quality is expected to improve this weekend, just in time for other golfers like Jim to get back on the course

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Canadian wildfires are pushing dangerous smoke and air south to the East Coast and Central New York golfers are among those feeling the impact. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has reported unhealthy levels of air in Onondaga County and are urging people to stay inside. 

With the air quality index sitting between 150-190 on Tuesday, many residents around CNY were staying inside. Pro shop employee at Tecumseh Golf Club in Syracuse, Sydney Linkiewicz, said that this weather has caused a lull in golfers visiting their course.

Haze surrounding Tecumseh Golf Club
Haze from the Canadian Wildfires looms over the Tecumseh Golf Club
© 2023 Mustion

“It’s been very slow today. Probably the slowest day I have worked. There’s only been like three golfers. Maybe. So there really hasn’t been, like anyone coming in,” Linkiewicz said.

Between the health hazard long exposure to the air can cause and the low visibility on the course, Linkiewicz said that many golfers are calling their shop to see if they are even open.

“We are open, but if it gets worse or stays this slow, we might close early,” Linkiewicz said.

Although the air quality has kept many golfers off the course, local resident and golfer, Jim, said that he golfed yesterday and that this weather has not impacted him too much.

“I played golf yesterday and it didn’t phase me, but it’s odd. It’s odd. I don’t think it hasn’t changed any of my behaviors, but it could if it got worse,” said Jim.

With the air quality looking to improve later on this weekend, golfers may be able to get a round in over the weekend, but authorities are urging residents to stay updated on the current conditions and taking their health history into consideration.

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