Hit the course instead of the slopes: Warm weather opens up golf courses before Christmas

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's time to put the slopes on hold and head out to the golf course, thanks to some unseasonably warm temperatures.

Currie Park and Grant Park both opened up for post-season tee times on Thursday, Dec.14. 

“You know, 52 degrees and sunny with no snow in the middle of December. When that’s the case, we’re going to be open and people are going to be playing," said Scott Walecki, the head professional golfer and employee at Currie Park. 

24 hours after making the decision to open, almost all the tee times at Currie and Grant Park were booked. Nearly 200 golfers are expected to show up on Thursday and Friday at the two locations. 

“Today, I just want to stay tuned up for April. I’m going down South to play in April, so I’m trying to keep my game tuned up," said Ernie Anderson, a golfer. 

Anderson's been golfing since he was 9 years old. At 82 years old, he says he's taking advantage of the sunshine. 

“The more golf I play, the happier I am, so I’m always praying for good weather," said Anderson. 

Typically, the golf season begins in March and lasts until November. Walecki says recently, it's been colder in the beginning, causing the start of the season to be shorter. 

“I feel like that’s shifted a little bit and we’re seeing more and more days open in later November and early December," said Walecki. 

Playing this time of year may not be on-par with the course, but these golfers say they'll take this Christmas miracle any day. 

"We were just talking about it on the way here, like we’re golfing in December. 10 days before Christmas, man," said golfer Brian Minton. 

Currie Park says if the weather stays as warm as it is, there's a chance golfers may be on the course right up until Christmas Eve. 

“This is just a bonus, I mean, maybe this is just the Christmas present everybody wants," said Walecki.