Aspen golf season is in full swing

ASPEN ” Now that we’re into the third week of May, the snow appears to have subsided and the Aspen Golf Club course is in full swing.

The municipal golf course opened much later than typical seasons ” April 30, which was the day that Joe Vernier, owner of Bleeker Street Gym in Aspen, had accurately predicted.

Vernier was the winner of a contest this year that offered up a free full-season pass for 2009 to the person who could accurately guess the opening day of the golf course. Participants also had to guess the first tee time of the season, which Vernier did as well, predicting a 9:30 a.m. start.

Not any of the other hundreds of entries pegged April 30 as the beginning of the season, said Steve Aitken, director of golf for the city of Aspen.

“Not only did he get the day, he picked the exact time,” Aitken said of Vernier’s prediction.

Since opening day, however, the golf course has had to close an average of once a week because of snow.

As a result of inclement weather, golf course crews still have some work to do on the track, but still it’s in fairly good shape considering recent weather challenges.

Green fees for the Aspen Golf Club are still at the offseason rate of $52.50 for 18 holes, which will hold until May 24. After that, green fees will go up to $75. Starting on June 25, that price will increase to $105.

For more information, call the golf course at (970) 925 2145 or log onto http://www.aspenrecreation.com.