Ken Stawasz, of Feeding Hills, putts on the green at Tekoa Country Club, yesterday as he enjoys the warm mid-March weather. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Greg Strattner, of Westfield, tees off yesterday at Tekoa CC. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Alex Bates, of Westfield, prepares to tee off yesterday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Adam Pami, of Westfield, tees off yesterday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Weather a hole-in-one for area golfers
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD – Tekoa Country Club is set to open its golf course officially today, matching the earliest quality start ever for the facility. With temperatures hovering close to 70 degrees, and the thermometer expected to hit 80 early next week, golfers owe Mother Nature a round of… golf.
“When people can sneak in a round of golf (with temps) in the 50s, everybody’s doing back flips,” said longtime Tekoa CC golf pro E.J. Altobello. “This (weather) gets people motivated to come out and play earlier than usual. It actually gets people excited.”
“Every golfer is looking to get in some extra rounds for the year,” he added. “Hopefully now they can add to that total.”
According to Altobello, Tekoa was shut down for members only 12 days all winter, an unprecedented low mark never seen in the golf pro’s 14 years.
“That number just blows that (record) out of the water,” he said.
Aside from a freak snowstorm that crippled much of the region shortly before Halloween late last October, area golfers have not had to worry about much of an offseason, if any.
“I don’t think I missed a week playing golf all winter,” said Feeding Hills resident Ken Stawasz, who finished up a round of golf at Tekoa yesterday afternoon.
The official opening will occur 10 days earlier than usual.
“I hope I’m wrong, but in the next 10 days this could be the best weather we see all year,” Altobello said.
It is a welcome sight for Tekoa and other local golf courses, which dealt with flooding associated with last year’s hurricane, and fallen debris from the Halloween snowstorm.
Various leagues, such as the Monday-Friday 4-6 p.m., Tuesday AM, and Thursday-Sunday ones, are expected to begin later this month or early April, barring any inclement weather.
The first tournament, slated for April 1, is a three-player scramble for $55, which includes a round of golf, a cart, a hot buffet lunch, and prizes. The event features a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start. Anyone interested in signing up is urged to stop by the Pro Shop or call 568-1064.
Opportunities abound for area golfers.
Golfers can also take advantage of discounted rates at The Ranch Golf Course in Southwick through April 19. To reserve a tee time, golfers are asked to call 569-9333, extension 1.
Other local golf courses already open or expected to open in the coming days include: Southwick Country Club, Edgewood Golf Course in Southwick, and East Mountain and Shaker Farms country clubs in Westfield.
Weekend tournaments are scheduled all throughout the year, beginning in April. Check with each respective pro shop for more information.
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To report league scores or a hole-in-one, please e-mail information/photos to the Westfield News sports department at [email protected].
