Duffers rejoice: assuming this warmer weather continues, the Humboldt Golf Club (HGC) should be open for business on May 1.
Course superintendent Glenn Wildeman said things are on track for a May Day opening of all 18 holes, although with all the snow we had this winter, we're likely looking at fairly wet conditions to start the season.
"We're really hoping for a dry spring," he said. "Last year was probably the wettest on record, and it definitely affected the course. I don't think we've ever seen a year like that before."
Wildeman said just like last year, cart use will likely have to be limited to the newer nine holes (the front nine) for the early part of this season. He noted the golf course had to keep carts off the old nine (the back nine) last year until late June or even early July, because conditions were just so wet.
The front nine drains better than the older half of the course, he explained, as the newer fairways and greens were specifically designed with drainage in mind.
On the other hand, the older nine has settled quite a bit over the years, with the undulating fairways leaving areas on the course where water tends to pool.
"We had a lot of nine-hole rounds with carts last year," Wildeman noted.
Golf course management has been consulting with the City of Humboldt to try to make drainage more efficient, especially on the back nine, Wildeman said.
Although he said it's too early to know how well the greens fared over the winter, or if there is much in the way of winter kill, Wildeman said the course as a whole appears to have come through the long winter in very good shape.
"It looks like things have weathered well," he noted.
While the course itself won't open until May 1, the clubhouse should be open by mid-April.
Price increases
Prices for a round of golf at HGC have increased marginally for this year, with golfers paying $3 more for 18 holes.
Adult weekday fees are now $33 for 18 holes, and weekend fees are $36. Juniors (ages 13-18) will pay $21 seven days a week, while junior/juniors (12 and under) will pay $17.
Annual memberships are also up slightly. Adult full memberships now cost $760, or you can pay $695 for weekday privileges only. Couples memberships are $1,465, and family memberships cost $1,625.
Young adult (19-24) memberships are $420, junior memberships are $225, and junior/junior memberships are $150.
