Palmer Golf Course to open Wednesday

PALMER — Palmer Golf Course may be opening a few weeks later this year, but for local golfers it’s better late than never.

PGC will open 12 holes for play Wednesday, director of golf George Collum said Monday. With an April 25 opening, the course is about two weeks behind last year when PGC was open on April 10. Collum said the start date of the 2011 season is more atypical than 2012.

“The 10th is a little earlier than normal. In 2009 and 2010, we opened on the 23rd, so we’re not too far out of the ordinary,” Collum said.

Collum said it’s just good to get the season started.

“I’m excited for the golfers. It’s been a long winter for everyone,” Collum said. “I’m excited to get going.”

Collum said a dozen holes, 1 through 7 and 14 through 18, will open Wednesday at 9 a.m., with a cost of $15 per round. Collum expects all 18 holes to be opened for the weekend. The driving range could also be open this week, and Collum said he hopes to open the course to the use of carts next week.

Collum said conditions have improved quickly in recent days.

“Once it started to go, it went very fast,” Collum said of snow and standing water on the course.

Collum said the ground did not freeze as deep as some seasons, which is allowing the water to dissipate more easily.

Overall conditions of the course are pretty good, he said.

“It’s drying out pretty good. We should be on just a couple of (temporary) greens for now,” Collum said.

Collum said weekday golf will be first-come, first-serve, but the course is taking tee times for Saturday and Sunday.

Call 745-4653 for more information.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.