Spring has come to South Fork! My impression is that we had a generally mild winter with few nights dipping below zero, good but not excessive snow cover, and an abundance of days when I was riding up the lift at Wolf Creek and remarked to my buddy Ric Mann, “this is one of the best ten days of skiing that I can remember”. The pansies that I planted last year in the rock garden emerged through the final snow dustings of winter in fine shape; however, the chipmunks have since nibbled them down to soil level. Deer are everywhere this spring! Instead of seeing groups of three to five deer, I see groups of ten to fifteen. During our morning dog walks, the rabbits jump out in front of us and scamper down the road heading for safety. As the snows of winter have yielded to spring, my thoughts turn to golf, outdoor projects and planting.

Speaking of golf and the Rio Grande Club & Resort, the new owners are working several maintenance projects to improve the member/guest experience. The bar and grill are getting a face lift. The long neglected bunkers around the course are having their edges reshaped; the grass and rocks are being removed; and you won’t be bouncing your sand wedge off the hard pan in these bunkers when the work is completed.