Some golfers in the Northwest may take the winter months off to sit by the fire place with some hot cocoa, reading up on their latest golf magazine and figuring out how they are going to solve their slice come springtime.   In the Tri-Cities of southeastern Washington that's not the case.  Golfers come from all over the Northwest and get out on the course all winter long to work on their game.

"The only day we are scheduled to be closed is on Christmas Day and even then a lot of members will sneak out and play," says Mike Lundgren, President and General Manager of Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick.

The Tri-Cities is known for 300 days of sunshine a year and those sunny days keep on shining in the wintertime.

"Golfers from western Washington are pleasantly surprised with the amount of roll they experience on the Tri-Cities dry fairways."  "On the west side they often run into the problem of balls falling short because of damp air and soggy landing areas, typical this time of year. And of course they love our blue skies and sun shine," says Nick Rodriguez of Horn Rapids Golf Course in Richland.

"One of the best things about winter golf at Canyon Lakes is that we are generally open year ‘round and ‘play summer rules.'  Everything on the golf course is off grass.  There are no mats and no reason to "bump the ball," explains Lundgren.

As an added bonus, the Tri-Cities is located in the Heart of Washington Wine Country. There are over 160 wineries for you to visit within an hour drive.  Tasting rooms at area wineries remain open throughout the winter months.

Drive times to the Tri-Cities are convenient.  If conditions are ideal across mountain passes in Washington and Oregon plan on a three and a half hour jaunt from both Seattle and Portland and just over two hours from Spokane.  Direct daily flights are also available from Seattle.

Golf packages including green fees, carts, and hotel accommodations are being offered right now on http://www.visittri-cities.com/, so don't let old man winter keep you inside.  Get out on the course in the Tri-Cities.