Warm weather means good things for golf courses

SOUTH BEND — It seems Mother Nature may be a golf fan. Warmer than normal temperatures have people heading to local courses. After last year's cold and rainy start to the golf season, the courses look to cash in on the early sunshine. Many courses feel a strong start could lead to a better than par 2010 season. The warmer temperatures of spring bring out a lot of things. The birds, the plants and the golfers. "We get out at the crack of the weather," says golf enthusiast Jerry Flanagan. "When the weather breaks, we're playing. When the course opens we play." Last year the end of March was cold and wet. Golf courses around the area hope the extra sun this year will bring out the extra players. "It's a lot of our regulars and the die-hards that play at this time of year," says Dick Neher at Erskine Golf Course. "But we're thinking this weekend we're gonna get a lot more play from the people getting their first chance to be out." The golf courses are hoping that this early boom will mean good things for the rest of the season. "Anytime you can generate revenue in the shoulder months, in the March and Aprils and the Novembers and Decembers of the seasons, is really the difference between having an OK year and having a really good year," says Tim Firestone, General Manager at Blackthorn Golf Course. The sun and warmth is also good for the courses themselves. Giving grounds crews more time to get the grass ready for play. "The course came through the winter really well," says Neher. "They've had a chance to mow a couple of times already. That's unusual this time of year to be able to mow greens and fairways." When the weather cooperates, it can mean a lot less stress on the courses bottom line. "You know we had some problems last year with rain. We lost a lot of days," says Neher. "But hopefully we'll be lucky this year and be able to stay open." Leaving the only thing to worry about this season, is how to make time for all the golf you'll be playing. If the warm weather isn't enough to get you on the links, South Bend golf courses have removed the fees for non-residents. So no matter where you live, you can enjoy the game for the same price as everyone else.