Managers are concerned that if things don’t improve to get more golfers out in February and March, they may not “get into the swing of the game for the rest of the year.”

Southern Illinois golf courses have become lonely places this winter, reported The Southern of Carbondale, Ill.

Fairways and greens have been left vacant around the region, The Southern reported, as cold temperatures have forced most golfers into hibernation for the winter.

Only 126 rounds were played during the month of January at Crab Orchard Golf Club of Carterville, Ill., The Southern reported.

“It’s hurt us tremendously,” said Sarah Haas, the club’s Director of Competitions. “In an average January, we might run anywhere from 400 to 1,300 players.”

Winter golf accounts for 10 to 20 percent of the club’s total budget, The Southern noted, and with more area golf courses competing for a shrinking number of players, any reduction in rounds played has an adverse effect.

“Right now in this area we have way more golf courses than players to support them, so we’re all trying to get the same players,” Haas said. “Golf in this area is just a tough business. Everybody’s rounds are going down because there’s more places for people to play.”

Rend Lake Golf Course in Whittington, Ill. has also seen a reduction in rounds played this winter, The Southern reported.

“Without a doubt, compared to most winters there’s been very few days that the golf course could even be opened,” said Brain Laur, the club’s golf professional.

Even without players on the course, maintenance has to continue and the lack of sunshine doesn’t stop the bills from arriving. “You still have an electric bill and a water bill every month,” Laur said.

Laur said the reduction in play will affect revenue, but he said the course has never depended heavily upon winter play.

The course could be hurt if the bad weather continues through February and March, however, causing some golfers to fail to get into the swing of the game for the rest of the year.

“What I see it affecting is if you get people out with nice weather in February and March, then they’re more likely to continue through the year,” Laur said.

Play in the early spring months also serves as a catalyst for summer play at Crab Orchard, Haas said.

“As players get to playing early, then they’ll play more often,” Haas said. “To get back on the right footing, we need 1,000 to 1,500 players per month [in February and March].”

The harsh weather has created uncertainty for courses, but it’s nothing the industry hasn’t faced before, The Southern noted.

“We’re all at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Haas said. “There’s nothing we can do to control it, so we just have to deal with it.”

Haas did say golfers should not expect to see any difference in the play of the course or in green fees.