Rob Ruth/Chieftain Three young golfers make their way along the course's edge at Alpine Meadows Golf Course late Monday afternoon.

The first few days of its official April 1st opening, Alpine Meadows took on a rather lonely and gloomy appearance, all because a little bit of snow and a little bit of rain mixed with a whole lot of cold air kept even the heartiest golfers away.

It wasn’t that way the last few days of March. While the clubhouse bustled in preparation for the opening with Ted Pithoud, the new clubhouse manager, acquainting himself with his duties, Sherri Currie and Julie Sears readying the restaurant, and lady golfers washing windows and shampooing carpets, golfers were coming in droves to take advantage of the warm, windless and wonderful weather.

“We took in more green fees before we opened,” Pithoud says, “than on opening day.”

Good golf day, bad golf day, golfers are pretty much used to Wallowa County’s fickle spring weather. They just smile, shrug their shoulders and wait for the sun to shine.

The general attitude about course condition is a promising one. Those who have been lucky enough to play this early in the year report that the grounds have wintered well, and the greens are in great shape.

“This kind of talk is music to my ears,” says Greg Sturtevant, greens superintendent. “The mild winter has helped us. We’ve done some mowing, and raked a multitude of downed tree limbs. Wind and cleanup go together. The greens crew has nearly completed a water line repair and extension next to the clubhouse. When finished we’ll be able to wash carts, have water in the shop, water the practice putting green and the No. 1 tee box area without dragging hoses over cart paths.”

With the pond project completed, one of Sturtevant’s main items to finish this year will be the numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 tee boxes.

Everyone is welcome to visit Alpine Meadows and meet the new manager. Golfers can pay their membership dues or check out prices for joining. Everyone is also urged to visit the “new” Alpine Meadows Café, offering hand-formed burgers with fresh cut fries, soups, salads and “you-name-it, we-got-it” sandwiches. And if you arrive early for your round of golf, check out the breakfast menu.