Golfers swing into Wildwood for opening day

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The greens are open at Wildwood Municipal Golf Course in Charles City.

The course opened for the season at noon on Wednesday, April 9, and golfers wasted no time getting out to enjoy a few rounds.

“At quarter to 12 I had golfers ready to go,” said Kim Carman, the clubhouse manager.

More than two dozen people came in on Wednesday to renew their memberships and get ready for the golfing season. With the exception of Hole 8, which is still partially frozen, the course is cleaned up and ready for play.

“The course is in great shape,” said Leroy White, one of the first golfers to hit the course Wednesday afternoon.

An avid golfer, White says he tries to get on the course about every day during the season and was pleased that the opening day was blessed by mild temperatures and little wind.

“We’re always looking forward to it,” he said.

Wildwood has a busy schedule planned for the year, with 36 teams already signed up for the Monday Best Shot League and 18 teams signed up for Tuesday’s Men’s League.

On Fridays, the golf course will be having couples nights and Carman said she is also looking at doing Wednesday wine tastings.

“I’m gonna try to get that going again,” she said.

At the Wildwood clubhouse, Carman plans on continuing to give the building a fresh coat of paint, which has been an ongoing process she’s been doing with her father, Duane Kilby.

“Hopefully I can have enough to finish out the painting,” said Carman.

In the meantime, the course will stay busy with leagues, tournaments, and other events through the spring and summer.

“We’re just looking forward to a good season,” said Carman. “I’m hoping for a big weekend because it’s supposed to be real nice.”