“Fore!” Or, At Least Some Are Getting Ready

Driving range opened Monday at Duluth's Enger Park Golf Course as pros and duffers can't wait.

DULUTH, Minn. — With Monday’s incredibly warm weather, some people gave up on ever pulling out the ice fishing rods again–so why not pull out a five-iron instead?

Those with the itch had a chance to hit the driving range at Enger Park golf course.
No grass of course, but players could get the kinks out by hitting off the traditional early-season artificial surfaces.

Early to open the range? Yes, but General Manager Craig Smith remembers his first year here in 2015.

“We were open March 26th. And so, this is really very early. And people, you know, with all the winter sports, they weren’t able to do,” said Smith.

“They’re really excited to get outside and hit balls again. The phone’s been ringing off the hook. So, I think everybody in the golf business is thinking the same thing: Get open when we can. When it’s not going to do any damage to the golf course, we’ll think about opening that then,” Smith said.

The actual course won’t open until the grass actually starts to grow enough to protect the course. Smith says that won’t be until it stays above 50 degrees overnight and will be decided by the course superintendent.

Meanwhile, those wanting to tackle that slice or hook will have a chance to get out any day it’s warm enough.  But, before you hurt yourself, Smith had a word of caution.

“Really think about doing stretching first and getting your body prepared. Don’t just go out and ‘grip it and rip it,'” said Smith.

“You know those muscles have been lying dormant for a little while, so come on out, stretch out, get out on the golf course. Right now, we’re ‘mats only’ on our driving range, obviously for the same reasons as the golf course. So, stretch out, get out here, start slow and build up.”

Going forward, the clubhouse will be open Monday through Friday from 9 to 3. Enger will have irrigation work going on this summer, but 18 of its 27 holes will remain open.