Twin Cities Courses Ready For February Golf With Mild Weekend Expected

ALBERTVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Nonstop phone calls are typical before opening day at a golf course, but not when it's February in Minnesota.

"We pulled the trigger yesterday morning and it was completely sold out," Cedar Creek Golf Course owner Chris Sauer said.

TwinCitiesGolf.com will be hosting a tournament at Cedar Creek Golf Course in Albertville on Saturday and Sunday. Why not? Temperatures are expected to hit the 50s and 60s across the state.

"We decided we wanted to go for something pretty neat and interesting," Sauer said.

It's the first time the course has been open for play in February since it opened in 1999.

Course officials were busy assembling bag racks and cleaning up the greens Thursday, chipping away at the ice that's filled the holes.

"There is no mowing, no crew, we're ready to go," Course Superintendent Tim Wicklund said.

There will be a few unofficial winter rules: There are no golf carts, and if the ball goes out onto the frozen pond, you're out of luck.

"For a safety issue we're not allowing golfers to hit off the ice," Sauer said.

All 120 spots are filled for both weekend days, but they do have tee times open next week when the warm streak continues.

"It really is amazing to be in the state of Minnesota and the fact people are out in February," Sauer said. "I wouldn't be shocked if we had golfers in shorts."

The Tanners Brook Golf Course in Forest Lake is also open on Sunday. Three Rivers Park District will also be opening the driving ranges at Glen Lake Golf and Practice Center in Minnetonka and Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake.

Other practices ranges expected to be open this weekend include Braemar in Edina, Chomonix in Lino Lakes and Columbia, Gross and Hiawatha in Minneapolis. Shadowbrooke Golf Course in Lester Prairie is also expected to be open for play on Friday.