Area golf courses beginning to open for season

WILLMAR -- And they're off!

Much like the gates flying open for a horse race at Canterbury Downs, the doors opened to a number of area golf courses this week, which is about a week earlier than normal.

"This is the earliest we've ever been open, said Nick Ebnet at Valley Golf Course in Willmar, which opened Tuesday. "The early snow covered everything up. The greens came through really good. It's unusual, especially for all the snow we had."

And the standing water. Last week, Willmar was rife with pockets of water from a really fast snow melt.

Valley was the first area golf course to open this year, followed by Little Crow Country Club between Spicer and New London, and Benson County Club on Thursday.

A couple more courses opened Friday: Koronis Hills in Paynesville and Stoney Creek near Renville.

"It takes a little bit longer for us with all the hills, so this is great," said Cindy Fuchs, Koronis Hills manager.

Minnewaska Golf Club will open at 10 a.m. today, with carts. Most of the area courses will open with carts, another unusual circumstance.

"We're in a little higher position here. There's no soft spots," said Dave Jensen. "With next week in the 70s, the grass will start growing like crazy."

A good portion of area courses will open next week, including Eagle Creek Golf Club in Willmar, Island Pine Golf Club in Atwater and Olivia Golf Club.

Golf course openings

Appleton -- not available

Island Pine (Atwater) -- April 1, carts possible

Benson -- Opened Thursday

Prairie View (Brooten) -- not available

Oakdale (Buffalo Lake) -- Tuesday, carts start April 3 after 11 a.m.

Dawson -- not available

Kerkhoven -- not available

Minnewaska (Glenwood) -- Today at 10 a.m. with carts.

Granite Run (Granite Falls) -- April 1, walking only

Litchfield -- not available

Madison -- not available

The Crossings (Montevideo) -- Tuesday at 11 a.m. with carts, some holes may not be playable

Pomme de Terre (Morris) -- April 15

Olivia -- Tuesday, possibly carts on paths

Koronis Hills (Paynesville) -- Opened Friday, with carts

Hawk Creek (Raymond) -- not available

Redwood Falls -- April 2 with carts

Stoney Creek (Renville) -- Opened Friday with carts

Little Crow (Spicer) -- Opened Thursday

Eagle Creek (Willmar) -- Monday

Valley (Willmar) -- Opened Tuesday with carts