What a difference a year makes.
Last year's golf season came to an abrubt end when a day-after-Christmas blizzard blanketed greens and fairways with over a foot of snow.
But as temperatures reached into the high 40s Monday, golfers could be seen swinging their clubs at and in Middlefield.
"It's a nice day, there's no snow on the ground," said golfer Paul Izzo of Milford. "Thank God for global warming."
Izzo was joined on Lyman's 18-hole course by golf pals Kevin Regan and Tim Duffy, also of Milford. The trio was among about three dozen golfers enjoying the sunny conditions and the occasional stiff breeze.
"I had to take off a layer cause it was impeding my swing," Regan joked.
Lyman Orchards Golf Club manager Dave Christenson says golfers will be able to tee off as long as the course isn't covered with snow or ice.
"The course is in good shape," he explained, adding that tee boxes had been removed and that an alternate hole had been placed on each green to reduce the wear and tear on the course.
"We see a lot of demand when it snows up north. That brings a lot of traffic down on the weekends," Christenson said. Off-season greens fees at Lyman's range from $36-$46 with a cart.
Golfers are cleared to tee off after the frost has subsided, which usually happens between 8-9 a.m., Christenson said.
Busy fairways are exactly what drew brothers Joe and Brian Rebeschi of Northford to the course.
"We're just driving by and we saw some people playing so we went and got our clubs," Joe said. "I've golfed on the first, but never the second."
"It's just a little wet, but no worse than it is in the summer," Brian added.
While Lyman's clubhouse remains staffed during winter, a handful of golfers playing Indian Springs' 9-hole course on Monday were entrusted to obey the honor system.
A sign on the door of the clubhouse reads "Course is Open! If clubhouse is locked, greensfees will be collected on the course."
Greens fees are $15 (cash only) to walk any day of the week, while pull carts are available for $3.
As for the forecast?
"Next weekend's supposed to be nice," Duffy said.
