FORE: New Richmond golf course opens for season

• Langford

Bill Langford, New Richmnond, was the first golfer on the course Wednesday, March 14. It's the earliest the local course has ever opened.
• Putting

Gary (left) and Dave Stephens were among the first golfers at the New Richmond Links course on Wednesday. Unseasonably warm weather led to a quick opening for the local course.

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As temperatures climbed toward 60 degrees Wednesday (March 14), the New Richmond Golf Club sent out an email alert to its members.

The nine-hole Links course officially opened at noon. It's the earliest opening ever for the golf course.

"Two years ago the Links opened on St. Patrick's Day, and at that time it was an all-time record," said Bill Langford, president of Board of Directors for the New Richmond Golf Club and first golfer out on the course on Wednesday.

A record start date is important, Langford said, because last year's golf season was about six weeks shorter than average due to poor weather and playing conditons, Langford said.

"It's good, because last year was kind of a bad year," he said. "We need this."

The course was slated to open at noon. By 11:30 a.m. the first golfers were itching to get out. Jim Wolff, club house employee, let them leave a bit early.

"I've worked here 10 years," Wolff said. "This is definitely the earliest we've ever opened."

Tee times were filling up as word spread that the local course was open.

"The phone is ringing off the hook here," Wolff said, as another call for a tee time came in.

Gary Stephens and Dave Stephens, club members, were the second group to hit the course Wednesday. They were enjoying celebratory cigars as the round began.

Dave Stephens said the round was the earliest he's ever played in the spring in the New Richmond area.

"It is wonderful, isn't it?" he said with a smile.

Langford said the Golf Club's main course will likely open early next week. Course managers hope to have the driving range open by the weekend.

Other local courses are also ramping up for an early opening.

Pine Meadow Golf Course south of New Richmond opened for play on Wednesday as well. While it's an early opening for them, their record opening date was March 5 many years ago.

Bristol Ridge in Somerset will open its driving range on Thursday, March 15. The course will be open for play on Friday, March 16.

St. Croix National near Somerset also is expecting to open for play on Friday, March 16.

Pheasant Hills Golf Course near Hammond opened for play on Wednesday. There was no information available about when Hammond Golf Club is set to open.

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