Spring Fever: Golf Courses Open For First Time

Spring Fever: Golf Courses Open For First Time
From cabin fever, to spring fever. Sunday golf courses were busy, local parks packed, and snow piles were finally melting.

This winter was harsh and many people are finally getting to enjoy the outdoors for the first time in months.

“Oh it feels great. Its been a long winter and really looking forward to golf,” said golfer, Ron Thomas.

Thomas, a golfer of more than 40 years, hasn’t hit the links since last November. Mother nature did her best this winter, blanketing the greens with piles of white. Record breaking snowfall kept him and others off the course.

“If it’s 36 and no wind or something I will be out here playing, and playing all winter long, but this winter we kinda got the snow early and it took care of the golf,” said Thomas.

“Yeah. Last year we had play a little bit here and there every month of the year, so this year everybody is kinda cooped up and we are just waiting for finally some good weather,” said Head Gold Professional at The Rail Golf Course, Jesse Noelke.

And with the weather finally warming up, golfers are lining up. Maintenance crews at Rail Golf Course in Springfield have been prepping since Friday.

“There was still huge chunks of ice in all the cups. So he was taking around hot water to all the holes and just melting everything off and we had snow on the cart paths so they are shoveling snow and trying to get rid of everything,” said Noelke.

In Wasington Park, they’re getting rid of things too. Roads were blocked off to cars, giving walkers every opportunity to stretch their legs.

“I think it’s a great idea because the park is filled with people as it is and it’s nice to have a day where we don’t have to worry about cars and we can just have the whole street,” said walker, Carol Posegate.

But not everyone is as happy to see the snow go.

“We have a nice snow blower, we are prepared for the cold weather so you know we just kinda enjoyed it,” said Bob Posgate.

Forecasters are reminding everyone Springfield still has a history of snow storms this month.

Last year the area got hit with a storm on March 24, piling up 18 inches in some spots.
(original: http://www.wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_16024.shtml)