“Gorgeous day,” said Basil Lilyquist of Lino Lakes. “Go golfing.”
Which is exactly what many folks did as golfers flocked to the lynx – eager to shake off winter rust and dust and hit that little white ball.
“Absolutely,” said Mark Morrissette of Blaine. “It’s been a long wait.”
“What really makes today is no wind,” said Gary Setala of Andover. “Just a windless day so that’s gonna be nice.”
“Been waiting all winter,” Lilyquist said. “We did go to some simulators and play, but it’s just not the same thing.”
Immaculate course
Despite a marathon Minnesota winter that produced record amounts of snow, Chominix looked immaculate.
“Always in really good shape,” Morrissette said. “Last year it was in great shape.”
“Chominix is a nice course,” Setala said. “It really greens up nicely.”
Getting outside after being cooped up for months was just what these golfers have been waiting for. They were excited to get back on the course.
“I was not going to be denied today,” Morrissette said. “I put shorts on. I didn’t care if it was 35 or 75, I was looking forward to this for a long time.”
“Get outside,” Lilyquist said. “Be with friends. Watch the wildlife. Lots of wildlife here. Good area for deer and all that stuff.”
“For me it’s relaxing,” Setala said. “A lot of people say it’s frustrating. I’m beyond that. I just play golf and hit my next shot. Don’t worry about the last one.”
Fun on the course
Morrissette plays in a senior league at Chominix, an 18-hole public course located in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park.
“I got into it three years ago,” Morrissette said. “Retired. Looking for something to do.”
Since then Morrissette has found a hobby he thoroughly enjoys.
“I got paired up with the three of the nicest guys you’d ever meet and it’s just been a riot,” Morrissette said. “Occasionally there’s some really good golf shots.”
Getting a birdie or a bogey is secondary for Morrissette.
“It’s just a lot of fun playing out here,” Morrissette said.
He’s just happy to be back on the course.
