What was once a lush, green scene is now 4,923 yards of white and ice.
The Carthage Municipal Golf Course may be closed to golfers, but its staff remains year around to maintain the facilities. Kurt Neubert, the golf course superintendent, said the recent drastic temperature variations have not affected the conditions of the course.
“These warm season grasses are dormant in this,” he said. “The bent grasses can handle this weather. It’s part of the natural process.”
Neubert said the course was in the best shape it’s ever been in last year, and it can only get better from here.
“I think it will continue to improve each year,” he said.
Working diligently on the health of the course, Neubert said irresponsible golfers and sledders can be his worst enemy. He said even while there’s a protective snow on the greens, people can crush the blades of grass.
“That impedes the natural process, by slowing down that natural thawing process,” Neubert said.
Mark Peterson, the head PGA pro at the course, said the city ordinance against sledders on the course has been effective.
“In the last three winters we haven’t had a problem,” he said. “The community has been extremely respectful of the golf course.”
Besides damaging the golf course, Peterson said the more important reason sledders can’t use the course is because it’s dangerous. A popular hill sledders once found was number 16, however, when the golf course was renovated in 2003, a creek was moved closer to the hill. Peterson said with the hill so close to the creek, and the new, large boulders in that area make it “a dangerous place to sled.”
Peterson said this year’s January has been much better than last year’s. The ice storm in January 2007 made the course close for 20 days. This year, the course closed for 18 days in January.
“When the forecast is 45 to 65 degrees, it is playable, but it’s only those high temperatures for a short period of time,” Peterson said. “We have our regulars on those days, it’s always nice to see that. When there’s two to three good days in a row, we’ll see golfers from the Kansas City area. They won’t be playable up there, so they’ll come down here. That’s good revenue for us on those weekends when people are able to get out.”
Peterson continued to say the January sales of memberships was good, and also that he was excited for a renovated feature for the course.
“In March our Web site will be updated with some interactive player information, and it’s just a great communication tool.”
The Carthage Golf Course Web site is www.carthagegolfcourse.com, with information on the course, upcoming tournaments and fees.
