Long Island's State Golf Courses Reopening After Long, Brutal Winter

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Golfers rejoice!

State golf courses on Long Island are reopening for the 2015 season after a long and brutal winter.

"With the snow still being on the golf courses we've had to delay the opening," George Gorman of the New York State Parks Department told 1010 WINS. "We normally would've opened up over the last couple of weeks, but we've been delaying and delaying."

The severe winter weather took a toll on the greens, Gorman said.

"We're still going to be doing course maintenance, we may not be opening up all of the greens," Gorman said. "We may be on winter greens at a couple of the courses because of damage they sustained during the winter, we are going to be making repairs. In some cases, we even may put sod that we grow on top of the greens."

The Bethpage State Park golf courses, including the famed Black Course, are normally open year-round but were closed over the winter months. The Blue, Yellow, Green and Red Courses were scheduled to  reopen Friday.

Bethpage's Black Course is expected to open April 11.

The Sag Harbor golf course is open and Montauk Downs should be ready to play on Monday.

Gorman warns spring weather can impact golf course conditions and schedules so golfers are advised to call ahead.