Golf course opens early

The mild winter and lack of snow this year may be causing some concern with winter recreation enthusiasts, but it may prove to be good news for local golfers. The Cabinet View Golf Club is open for members and will likely be opening for public play within the next few weeks.

Golf course superintendent Jerad Dill said they are allowing players who have paid memberships for this season to play the front nine right now, with some restrictions. “They’re playing the front nine to temporary greens and it’s walk-only,” Dill said.

The restrictions help to ensure no early damage to the fairways and greens occurs due to wet conditions.

Bob Castenada, chairman of the club’s board, said the board met and determined they would let Dill decide when the course would open for the year. “With the warm weather, people are getting pretty anxious,” he said. Ultimately, though, the decision would be made based upon the condition and readiness of the course.

Dill said he was concerned about both the course and the weather. With wet grass, a high level of traffic can damage the course, especially if carts are allowed. That’s the reason why current play is restricted to walking golfers.

Dill also was concerned about opening up the course to the public and then having to shut it down again in the event of inclement weather. “We have to remember, it’s still winter out there,” he said. “We don’t want to get going full-bore and then have to come back to a stop.”

Conditions on the back nine are not yet good enough to support traffic and play, Dill said, but if the recent warming trend holds he anticipates full course play to be available by the middle of March.

Dill said if the weather conditions hold, he expects the course could be open for public play within the next two to three weeks, but regardless of the exact date, he indicated “it will be earlier than we’re used to.

“Unless Mother Nature pulls a sneak attack on us,” he added.