We constantly hear how “fluid” practically every situation is currently as it pertains to the spread of the coronavirus, and operational decisions at one of the country’s most popular golf franchises proved that point this week.
On Tuesday, Topgolf, the Dallas-based golf-entertainment company, announced on its website that 25 of its United States locations would close their doors to aid in the stopping of the spread of the coronavirus. Just two days later, the remaining 31 locations followed suit.
“As a result of the recent mandates on health and safety across the globe, Topgolf will be closing our U.S. venues at this time until further notice,” a statement read on the company’s website. “Our thoughts are with our guests, communities and all those impacted by the coronavirus as we navigate through this difficult time.
“Thank you for your continued support. We will be ready to welcome you back to our venues for unforgettable experiences when we can do so safely and responsibly.”
Thank you for your continued support of Topgolf following the temporary closure of all of our U.S. Venues. Read a letter on all the ways we are caring for our hourly venue Associates. https://t.co/mICqcwAC98
— Topgolf (@Topgolf) March 19, 2020
In a letter to their hourly employees, Executive Chairman Erik Anderson and Chief Executive Officer Dolf Berle expanded upon their original statements.
“As it relates to our role in preventing the spread of the virus, we have paid close attention to the guidance and mandates from local health departments, government officials, the CDC and WHO,” the letter reads. “At this time, all our venues in the U.S. are closed. We will re-open once we can do so safely and responsibly.
“Borne out of our Core Value of Caring, we are working really hard on the best ways to take care of our hourly Associates who work in venues across the country. The largest portion of time spent by many members of our senior team over the last few days has been dedicated to the program we will extend to this vitally important group. We have made the decision that we will continue to pay wages for all venue-based hourly Associates for two weeks beyond the last day they worked in a venue. We also plan to continue providing health benefits for the time we are closed for all venue-based hourly Associates who are currently covered by a Topgolf health insurance plan.”
The statement continued with health recommendations for its workers and associates, as well as announcing that office associates would be working from home for the foreseeable future with non-essential travel canceled.
Topgolf has 56 locations in the U.S. as well as 10 new locations that were set to open as soon as March 20 in Arkansas. The company operates locations outside of the U.S. in the United Kingdom and Australia with expansion plans in Canada, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.
