GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Spring is barely underway, but for many golf enthusiasts, the season started much earlier than usual. Warmer temperatures have driven golfers to the Redlands Mesa Golf Course well ahead of schedule, leading to an unexpected surge in early-season play.

Maxwell Weckerly, Director of Golf at Redlands Mesa, noted that the course has been unusually busy for months.

“We’ve definitely been ahead of schedule this year,” he said. “We are open year-round technically, but usually we don’t start seeing a lot of play until mid-spring. But this year we’ve had big days in January, February, and this March has been a little crazy.”

Unusual Trends in Attendance

Typically, the golf season at Redlands Mesa runs from March through October, with peak months in May and September. But this year, that timeline has shifted dramatically.

• Golfers started flocking to the course as early as January.
• February saw an unexpected rise in attendance, defying past seasonal norms.
• March numbers have already exceeded expectations, creating a surge in demand.

The shift has created a ripple effect for course operations, forcing adjustments that weren’t planned for this early in the year.

Hiring Staff Sooner Than Expected

With the influx of players, Redlands Mesa had no choice but to ramp up hiring well ahead of schedule. Seasonal staffing, which typically picks up closer to peak season, had to be expedited to accommodate the rising foot traffic.

“We had to get people in place faster than ever before,” Weckerly said. “It’s a good problem to have, but it’s definitely been an adjustment.”

This unexpected hiring push is not just about keeping up with demand—it also ensures that course maintenance and customer service remain top-notch despite the early rush.

The Bigger Picture: A Trend to Watch?

Unseasonably warm weather isn’t just affecting Redlands Mesa; courses across the country are seeing similar trends. Whether this is a one-time anomaly or the start of a long-term shift remains to be seen.

For now, one thing is clear: golfers aren’t waiting for spring to officially begin. With temperatures on their side, they’re hitting the fairways earlier than ever.