Warm weather marks blizzard anniversary

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - According to famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, we're in for six more weeks of winter. But if it's the kind of winter we've had so far, we needn't be worried -- much unlike February of 2011, when West Michigan was battered with a blizzard.

"I can't believe the weather," said ice fisherman Bill Gerke. "You don't even need gloves."

For fishermen who think ice is nice, this winter has been a disappointment.

"The weather was nice for springtime, but not for winter. Don't like it too well," said Gerke.

Last year, Gerke had much better ice fishing weather -- though even he said that the February 2011 dump was a bit too much.

"Yeah, Groundhog's Day with about 17 inches of snow," remembered Gerke. "Nah, that was too much snow last year, at a certain time."

"A year ago that we had that big dumping of snow," agreed ice fisherman Dave Gersluys. "It was actually a real winter."

The weather usually makes greenskeepers' decisions for them.

"To open in February would be a landmark," said Boulder Creek Greenskeeper Rick Krampe.

Even with higher temperatures, project d low profit wouldn't have netted enough money for the golf course to open, so Boulder Creek was closed Thursday.

But though some courses are closed, others are taking advantage of the warmer weather.

"Golf in February is pretty nice," said golfer Chris Zielinksi, who hit Mines Golf Course in Grand Rapids. "I didn't think I was going to be out here today. That's for sure."

But for the outdoorsmen who depend upon the cold for recreation, a little bit of snow would be a nice gift.

"That's the kind we're looking for," said Gerke.