Golf courses open due to mild weather

DE PERE - Almost all of the snow in the area has melted and Mid Vallee Golf Course in De Pere is taking advantage of the conditions.

It opened on Tuesday for the first time this season.

"We said what the heck. Why not? It's going to be almost 60° the next couple of days. The course is in good shape, so we said we'd do it,” says Mid Vallee Golf Pro Marcus Holtz.

And there's been a lot of interest.

Holtz adds, "The last couple of days the phones have been ringing a lot."

Taking calls from golfers like Tom Smejkal and Bill Epping who have made it tradition to hit the links at Mid Vallee on opening day.

"It's all about getting back out there and getting exercise," says Smejkal.

Epping adds, "It feels great. I was working out in the yard yesterday and I was wondering if they were going to open up today, and sure enough they did."

Making this year’s opener earlier than usual.

"This is like three weeks earlier than last year," explains Smejkal.

Holtz continues, "Usually it's middle or first, second week of April. So middle of March is pretty cool."

Below average snowfall has been one reason for the early start, but temperatures have also been mild. It has been the 6th warmest start to March on record, with high temperatures above average on every day.

Smejkal says, "This is what you wait for all winter long. This is the only reason you get through.”

And for golfers like Smejkal and Epping, they hope days like Tuesday continue.

But a potential snow storm this weekend may put the early start to the season on hold.

"Obviously we understand its spring time, it's Wisconsin, it is what it is. We just consider these bonus days and I know the golfers are excited to be out and we are excited to have them,” says Holtz.