GlenEagles golf course makes earliest opening ever

Mild winter weather and a nearly snow-less February have made it possible forGlenEagles to set a new record for itsearliest opening this week.

• PHOTOS |Calgary's record-setting weather makes for unusual February activities

Last year, Cochrane'sThe Links of GlenEagles course opened on March 13. In 2014, it didn't remove the tarps until the last week of March.

"It's been so mild, and everyone's asking, and it gets to that point when all the stars align and you can go," said Slade Kingwith Play Golf Calgary, which operates three local courses including GlenEagles, about Thursday's opening.

"Everybody's justchompingat the bit."

The tee sheet has completely sold out through the weekend, as excited golfers prepare to hit the greens, he said.

King said the grass is in good condition, and crews were even beginning to worry that temperatures were climbing too high under the tarps in this double-digit weather.

"We try not to watch calendars. Moreso we watch the condition of the turf and how it's progressing," he said.

King, who claims he has six different weather apps on his phone, said he'll be monitoring the forecasts in the weeks to come to see if temperatures are expected to dip below -10 C, at which point the tarps will have to be reapplied.