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Finally. I really don’t have to say any more do I? After the winter from hell which, like a stubborn weed refused to go away, Edmonton-area golf courses are finally opening up.

SCENE

Despite the brutal winter – especially all the ice that formed early and stayed well past its expiration date – the majority of local courses seem to have ‘weathered’ well.

“We dodged a bullet,” said Murray McCourt, general manager of The Ranch, which was able to open last Wednesday. “The ice was a big concern but our superintendent, Derek Senkow, is very proactive and he got rid of all the ice.

“Derek and his crew also cleared the fairways of all the holes that normally take the longest to melt and dry out, which allowed us to open before just about anyone else.

“We’re way better than last year. All the greens look really good with the exception of No. 11, which we’re going to keep tarped for another week. But we’re open on 18 permanent greens. Until we open No. 11, we’re playing our 19th hole, which means playing No. 10 as both a Par 4 and then a Par 3.”