Mother Nature seems to have played some tricks on the golf season in the North Bay area.
Jeff Rogerson, general manager at Osprey Links golf course in Callander believes the mild winter created a false impression that the golf season would start earlier than normal.
"I think part of our problem is our expectations are slightly out of whack with the winter that we had," said Rogerson.
"Back on March 1 when it seemed so nice, however, we quickly forgot that we live in northern Ontario.
"I think most golf courses wintered very well because our true snow cover was only about eight weeks or less so it did not give a chance for much disease to take root."
Rogerson says they were able to officially open the course at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 26. The only area course to open earlier was Pinewood Park which opened officially on Thursday, April 25.
"We sold every tee time on Friday," he said.
"That surprised me that so many people came to play. Everyone had big smiles on their face some wearing shorts and golf shirts. I did not think that was appropriate for the temperature, but the sun was out."
Like many other golf course operators in the region, Rogerson hopes for more of that sunshine in the coming weeks.
