ELLINGTON-- It's March 1 and, weather wise, nothing has been on par for the course statewide this winter.
Golfers are fine with that. With weeks of winter to go, intrepid players are already in the swing of things at Rolling Meadows Country Club, a public course in Ellington that prides itself on staying open whenever possible. And this winter the course took that mission to heart: there was not one month in which the course remained closed.
"It's been a lot of fun," said Jim McMahon, the affable new director of golf at Rolling Meadows.
McMahon said Sunday's warm shot of weather brought 180 golfers to the course, and Tuesday there were 70 already signed up for tee times.
"It's kind of unheard of," McMahon said. "I've been in golf for 30 years and I've had one winter we have got to play every month." McMahon noted that this year will make two winters in 30 years. "They're coming from southern Massachusetts, all the way from New Haven" to play, he said.
Enjoying what could only be called "bonus rounds" were Dennis Coscina from East Windsor and Ron Urban from Southwick, Massachusetts. Both players are teaching professionals in the area and are happy to take their shots so early in the season.
"You couldn't ask for better weather," Urban said after splitting the 10th fairway.
Coscina, a former senior tour player, added, "It's like being in heaven really, we're have such a good time out there."
A three-wood drive away, Adam Shivok, who came to play the course from New Britain, said on the green, "It's March 1 and we're playing golf in Connecticut? Unbelievable."
If you're interested in finding golfing conditions in the area, click here.