Both Rockledge and Buena Vista golf courses will open as soon as possible. [Updated, Wednesday, March 10]

By Ronni Newton

The warm March sunshine is making quick work of any remaining snow on West Hartford’s public golf courses, and Director of Leisure and Social Services Helen Rubino-Turco announced Tuesday that both courses will reopen open for play on Thursday, March 11 if possible.

Rubino-Turco said Wednesday that conditions have not improved enough, and opening of the courses will be delayed. A new date for opening is not yet available.

“Superintendent Tim Nadeau is confident the remaining snow piles will dissipate quickly with the warmer weather,” Rubino-Turco said in an announcement Tuesday. “The grounds crew has been making great progress to ready the course for play. Conditions will not allow cart use yet, so the courses will be open for walkers only.”

Town Manager Matt Hart shared the good news with the Town Council at Tuesday night’s meeting. “I’m very pleased to announce that our golf courses are scheduled to open in two days,” he said, adding that he is pretty confident that all the snow will have melted by then.

The Winter Walking Trails will be closed for the season as of Tuesday, March 9, Rubino-Turco said, to ensure the safety of walkers and golfers alike.

Reservations must be made in advance through “Club Prophet,” a tee time system that was introduced last spring. Access to booking tee times is available the website www.rockledgegolf.com, and tee times will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 8:30 a.m.

The Golf Shop at Rockledge will be open on Wednesday, March 10, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and season passes will be available for sale. The phone number for the Pro Shop has changed, and is now 860-561-8280 or 860-561-8282.

Rockledge’s longtime PGA Golf Professional Rich Crowe retired at the end of 2020, following a 36-year career. Andrew Killoran, who was previously Crowe’s assistant and has worked at Rockledge since 1977, has been named to the top position.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.