A year ago at this time Natanis Golf Course had already been open for more than a month following a mild, relatively snowless winter.

The 36-hole course officially opens 12 holes at noon today, although nine holes were unofficially open Thursday.

“We had some guys out here so we let them go,” Natanis general manager Rob Browne said. “They’re ready to get outside so I’m getting a lot of phone calls.”

Browne said if it wasn’t for last week’s snowstorm, the course would have 27 holes open by now. If the weather holds as predicted he expects 20 holes to be open by Saturday.

“There’s definitely snow on the tree lines but the greens came through great,” Browne said.

The course charges $18 for nine holes and $26 for 18, although the extra holes can be played free of charge. There are no carts available yet, but Browne expects them to be ready for nine holes as soon as the cart path is clear of snow on the second hole.

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Natanis held its annual open house a couple of weeks ago and it was well attended.

“That was the best open house we’ve had in seven years,” Browne said. “People are just ready to get outside.”

The course has historically opened the first or second week of April, Browne said, but has opened in March four of the past six years.

“The last few years we’ve been spoiled,” he said.

According to the Maine State Golf Association’s Facebook page, several courses in southern Maine are open now or will be this weekend. They include Nonesuch in Scarborough, Toddy Brook in North Yarmouth, The Ledges in York, The Links at Outlook in Berwick and Dutch Elm in Arundel.

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T’s Golf in Manchester has been open since March 20 and owner Rawn Torrington is again offering lessons. This year the facility is opening T’s Golf Academy which will include one-, two-, three-, four- and five-day golf schools to individuals or groups not exceeding four.

Those who sign up for three or more days get a playing round lesson at Belgrade Golf Course. The academy is open now but this summer Tom Torrington will runs the program as well as the junior golf camps at the facility.

Tom, who is Rawn’s son, has worked the past few years at International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, S.C. It’s run by renowned instructor Hank Haney and both Rawn and Tom recently attained the senior instructor level in a “teach the teacher” session with Haney in Texas.

“(Tom) has coached four of the top 100 junior golfers in the world,” Rawn said. “He’s really starting to get a reputation for himself.”

T’s has also added a feature called E-coach in which students can submit videos on line and get a coached video back within 24-68 hours complete with voice over instruction on swing fixes.

Information on the golf academy and video instruction is available at the facility’s website www.tsgolfonline.com.

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com


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