Nearly 10 times as many rounds of golf were played at Lawrence’s four 18-hole golf courses in the opening seven weeks of 2009 compared with this year, according to figures obtained from local club professionals.

The decline has nothing to do with any sort of protest against Tiger Woods’ love life, and everything to do with the weather.

“I do not really remember a worse winter,” Eagle Bend head pro John Morris said. “I remember some big snows, but not as cold, and I’ve been here since 1969.”

Eagle Bend assistant pro Greg Dannevik said he has worked in the golf business for 19 years.

“I can remember some long winters in this part of the country, but this has been the worst,” he said.

How does he keep his game in shape?

“I don’t,” Dannevik said, before revealing he shot two-under par Thursday. ” … That was my first 18-hole round since (Dec. 1, 2009).”

Dannevik said 946 rounds of golf were played at Eagle Bend from Jan. 1, 2009, to Feb. 19, 2009. For the same dates this year, he said, 80 rounds were played.

David Dunn, head pro at Alvamar Golf Course, said rounds were down from 1,400 to 170 for that time period. At Alvamar’s private course, Dunn said, rounds dipped from 653 to 96.

At Lawrence Country Club, 591 rounds were played during that time frame in 2009, and just 27 rounds this year, according to assistant pro Eric Magnuson.

In all, that’s 3,590 rounds a year ago through Feb. 19, and 373 rounds this year.

Ed White, owner of The Orchards, a nine-hole executive golf course, did not have records readily available from last year, but said just 35 rounds have been played this year.