During this "winter that never was," temperatures reached 60 degrees in some parts of Minnesota on Wednesday — obliterating long-standing records.
While this weather comes with mixed emotions because of the laundry list of cold-event cancellations — some hard-core golfers are in heaven.
Several local golf courses are open or are opening this week for the first time in the frigid months of January and February, according to TwinCitiesGolf.com. So, when you think about it, that means folks got a shot at playing golf in all 12 months for 2024.
At Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids Tuesday afternoon, plenty of people were taking advantage of the driving range that reopened.
"Yeah, the weather is weird, and it's weird in the best way possible for Bunker Hills because it gets folks out to our facility," Tim Anderson, Director of Golf for the club, said. "We couldn't be more delighted about that."
It's a far cry from where we found ourselves just a year ago.
"I was talking to our green superintendent, and he said at this time last year, we had 42 inches of snow," Anderson said. "Now, clearly, we have zero. So you just never know."
And for those making their way to the greens, any chance to get out this time of year is one they welcome.
"I mean, last year we were shoveling snow every day, and this year we're out playing golf in December, we're playing now in January," Bill Giesie said. "So that's pretty cool. I like it."
Here's the list that keeps on growing:
CreeksBend in New Prague, Minnesota
(Open until Sunday, Feb. 4, walking only)
Cedar Creek in Albertville, Minnesota
(Open until Sunday, Feb. 4, walking only)
Emerald Greens in Hastings, Minnesota
(Open until Sunday, Feb. 4, walking only)
Hidden Greens in Hastings, Minnesota
(Opening Thursday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb 4, walking only)
Kilkarney Hills in River Falls, Wisconsin
(Opening Wed., Jan. 31, $35 to walk, $50 to ride)
Montgomery National in Montgomery, Minnesota
(Open until Sunday, Feb. 4, walking only)
Pioneer Creek in Maple Plain, Minnesota
(Opening Wed., Jan. 31 through Saturday, Feb. 3, walking only)
Refuge Golf Club in Oak Grove, Minnesota
(Opening Thursday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb. 4)
Rum River Hills in Anoka, Minnesota
(Opening Wed., Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 4, walking only)
Shadowbrooke in Lester Prairie, Minnesota
(Open until Sunday, Feb. 4, walking only)
Southbrook in Annandale, Minnesota
(Opening Wed., Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 4, walking only)
Stonebrooke in Shakopee, Minnesota
(Open until Saturday, Feb. 3, walking only)
Tanners Brook in Forest Lake, Minnesota
(Opening Wed., Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 4, with carts)
The Ponds in St. Francis, Minnesota
(Opening Wed., Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 4)
Trempealeau Mountain in Trempealeau, Wisconsin
(Opening Saturday, Feb. 3 through Monday, Feb. 5)
Before you throw your clubs in your car, TwinCitiesGolf.com recommends calling the golf course ahead of time to confirm they're open and what the current course rules are; i.e., walking or carts.
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