The Central Oregon sun is back, and for good, we hope. The skies are blue over Black Butte Ranch and its two championship golf courses. And the Central Oregon forecast could hardly be any sweeter.

Yes, with both Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow now open, fantastic rates and unlimited golf available, and postcard-perfect weather, golf season at Black Butte Ranch is finally in full bloom.

Few are happier about the turn of the season than Phil Lagao, Black Butte Ranch’s longtime superintendent, and his staff.

“I am really happy with the course conditions so far,” Lagao said. “And the good weather is really going to help speed up the post-winter recovery.”

By any measure, it has been a long offseason. A cold, snowy winter, followed by a cool, wet spring has not been ideal for golfers. The same can not be said for turf management, though. The weather has actually been a blessing in disguise for the health of the turf at Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow.

But there has been work left to do. All that has been missing is a warm up that would help the course spring to life. The growth of Black Butte Ranch’s bentgrass turf has been relatively slow for this time of year, necessitating a stretch of warm weather. And some of the outer edges of the course could have used some fine-tuning, as is typical for this time of year.

Well, that is happening now, and the move to peak-season conditioning is already evident at both golf courses.

“I am really ecstatic with the big picture, even though it has been a bit of a slow start to the season,” Lagao said. “The tees and greens look great, and the fairways are in good shape. But some of the detail work still needed to be done. And that is happening now.”

Golfers who take advantage of the weather will find two golf courses at Black Butte Ranch with particularly healthy greens. Not only did the putting surfaces come out of winter in near-pristine condition, the crew has been able to speed up the greens relatively rapidly, pushing them closer to summer speeds.

“We’re getting really positive feedback from our men’s club and from golfers who pass through the golf shop,” Lagao said. “All we needed was a good run of weather to snap everything back into place.”

Even better, despite the idyllic weather and course conditioning, shoulder season rates and our spring unlimited golf deal are still in effect.

On Sundays through Thursday through June 15 (excluding May 28-28), Black Butte Ranch is offering a very special deal that fits just about every type of golfer: frugal players, cart riders, and those who yearn to play all the holes they can handle. For $49 golfers can play 18, $59 includes both 18 holes and the use of a cart, and $69 includes unlimited golf and the use of a cart.

Black Butte Ranch’s weekend spring rates are affordable, too: Through June, green fees are $69 at either Big Meadow or Glaze Meadow. After 1 p.m. that rate drops to $59. Golfers with a bit less time on their hands can play nine holes after 3 p.m. for $39.

Book a tee time online, or call 855-210-5305 or the Golf Shop at 541-595-1545.