Golfers itching to get swinging into the 2011 season will have to keep practicing indoors for a few more weeks.
Rossland-Trail Country Club head professional Jeff Papilion said he’s still staring at quite a bit of snow out the clubhouse window.
“On the course, there’s probably still six or so inches of snow,” he said.
A year ago, golfers had already teed off on the season by March 3 but that proved to be the exception not the norm. In 2009 the course opened on March 27 and in 2008 the golfers were out playing on April 7.
Papilion is hoping that the course’s driving range will be open by mid-month, which would coincide with the club’s membership drive/open house on March 19 and 20.
“I’m really hoping the range is open for that,” he added.
He explained the open house will allow members to sign up, introduce the club to new members and also feature a big sale in the pro shop with much of the equipment that’s been around for the past few years marked down to simply get it out the door and make room for the latest models.
“If the range is open people can try some stuff.”
The course usually opens shortly after the driving range is back in business so golfers will have to sit patiently until perhaps the end of the month before booking tee times.
Of course, Mother Nature will make the final decision and a warmer trend with rain can quickly rid the course of the last remnants of snow.
“If we can stay above zero at night and get a little rain and a little wind it would probably go pretty quick,” said Papilion.