GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A crowded Rosa Parks Circle in late December isn't an uncommon sight, the crunch of the skates heard in downtown Grand Rapids all throughout the winter. But this week, you have the rare opportunity to hit both the ice rink and the golf course on the exact same day.
"To get it into the holidays is very uncommon," said Graham Rayburn, golf course manager at Indian Trails Golf Course.
The City of Grand Rapids, which owns and operates Indian Trails, chose to open up with temperatures above 40 degrees expected to last the week.
"We're going to take full advantage of it while we can," said Rayburn.
And golfers like Steven Hawthorne are thrilled.
"Quite enthused, quite surprised," said Hawthorne, who lives nearby Indian Trails and regularly golfs at the course.
Hawthorne says he's even golfed in December before.
"I'll golf as long as they keep the flags on the course," he said.
But teeing off only two days after Christmas is a shock even to him.
Indian Trails will be open through Saturday, and you don't need a tee time to play on the course Rayburn said is in good shape despite a couple snowfalls.
"Reports coming in are the greens are still running really nice," he said. "And people are enjoying it."
You will have to walk though, with carts out of service.
But that's fine for Hawthorne, who's just happy to be making that uncommon appearance this late in the year at his favorite course.
"Nobody does a better job than the staff here at Indian Trails," said Hawthorne.
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