After the Phoenix area shattered the record of the longest streak of days with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees, outdoor activities have slowed in this Arizona city.
Over the weekend, more than 75 million Americans were under excessive heat warnings, heat advisories and excessive heat watches. At least 18 deaths have been confirmed. 69 deaths in the Phoenix metro area are suspected of being heat-related as of July 15, according to a letter from Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs to the state’s utility companies.
However, the machine that is the golf industry refuses to stop. Many golfers and golf courses are still seeing average or even slightly more traffic this summer in spite of the heat. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t taking precautions and being cognizant of the situation.
The name of the game for all of these golfers is water. Jerry McEntyre, a 69-year-old Mesa resident, and Roy Varatt, a 72-year-old Gilbert resident, have been playing golf together for over a year now. McEntyre will drink up to eight bottles of water while on the golf course to prevent being dehydrated, while Varatt will have water in addition to lemonade while playing.
McEntyre will have as much water as he does because of his experience with heat exhaustion before.
“Each time I had heat exhaustion, I never got to heat stroke level because I recognized something each time I experienced it, I didn’t have enough water,” McEntyre said. “I didn’t have enough to drink.”
The two friends have always been morning golfers, searching for the earliest tee time possible. This summer, they have placed even more emphasis on having earlier slots to avoid the heat because it has caused them to end their round early before.
“We’re trying to play smart because we like playing golf,” Varatt said. “We don’t want to get sick, We don’t want to dehydrate. I drink a lot of water even when I’m not playing so I won’t dehydrate.”
Cheyane Stewart, a 25-year-old from Mesa, and Nick Hill, a 27-year-old from Tempe, were heading out for an outing around 11 a.m. at the Dobson Ranch Golf Course in Mesa. Hill said he loves the game of golf, so as long as he has a wet towel and some occasional shade from the sun, he’s set.
Cody Mancuso golfs at the Encanto Park Golf Course in Phoenix on July 22, 2023.
“I’ve been golfing for a year now, I’m super obsessed with it,” Hill said. “I’m like every day, all day.”
Stewart, a former collegiate golfer at Mesa Community…
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