By Greg Ellison

It’s outdoor, per state rules, but patio works for now until indoor seating begins

(June 4, 2020) The new Golf Clubhouse in Ocean Pines inched to life last weekend, after Gov. Larry Hogan included outdoor dining facilities in his next phase of easing health-safety restrictions imposed in March because of the spread of covid-19.

Matt Ortt Companies cofounder Ralph DeAngelus said after Hogan’s May 27 press conference opened the door for restaurants to launch limited outdoor service last Friday, the new Clubhouse Bar and Grille began providing patio service this past weekend.

“We’re super pleased with the end result and the layout looks great,” he said. “The kitchen, bar area [and] outside, all of it is very functional,”

As of last Friday at 5 p.m. Maryland expanded permissible activities to include limited outdoor dining at bars and restaurants.

The executive order issued by Hogan requires appropriate distancing between patrons, with tables limited to a maximum of six people, except for members from the same household. Additionally, restaurant staff is required to wear facemasks when working with the public and other staff members.

Speaking on Monday, DeAngelus said despite statewide health-safety mandates restricting indoor food and beverage service, the limited feedback from outdoor patrons has been glowing.

“If the way people like the outside is taken into consideration, then we can imagine the reception the building’s going to get once we’re able to let them inside,” he said.

The OP Golf Course reopened for play on May 9, albeit with health-safety restrictions, after Hogan issued an initial rollback on pandemic-related measures days earlier.

DeAngelus applauded the OPA for overseeing the completion of construction on the new building, which from initial accounts provides a vast improvement over the previous structure.

“The Ocean Piners who are taking a three-block walk from their house or four-minute drive … they’re like, ‘Wow, this exceeded our expectations,’” he said.

Instant enthusiasm from the larger OPA community has been evident beyond golf regulars.

“They come down take a walk around, sit outside, grab a bite to eat or maybe an Orange Crush,” he said. “We now have everything together that we can start advertising breakfast is not just for golfers anymore.”

Looking ahead, DeAngelus said while the picture remains hazy in terms of staging a grand opening celebration for the OP Golf Clubhouse, strong attendance is anticipated whenever that moment arrives.

“We will eventually have a grand opening that will bring people in droves,” he said.

For now, those plans remain on the backburner until Maryland’s phased-in reopening plans include indoor dining options.

“I don’t know when it is going to be but I know when it’s not going to be,” he said. “It’s not going to be while we’re limited to what we can put inside.”