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Mild Winter Weather Has Some Trading In Ski Poles For Golf Clubs

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- With a temperatures forecast to be in the 70's on Christmas Eve, it's tee-times rather than lift tickets this year.

Camelback Mountain took advantage of the weekend chill and managed to get slopes open, for now.

"With 70 degrees and rain there's not much you can really do," said Camelback marketing director Dru Brooks. "Mother Nature hasn't been playing along very well, but we are doing everything we can to stretch it as long as we can."

This past weekend's temperatures allowed the resort to open six trails and four lifts. But for how long?

"We're just praying and dancing and doing everything we can to appease the snow gods," Brooks said, "and get the temperatures down so we can continue to make snow and open up for our guests."

But one man's loss is another's gain.

Turtle Creek Golf Course in Limerick already has 50 tee times booked for Christmas Eve.

"We're trying to limit it to about 10:30 in the morning," said Donna Suavely, the golf course's office manager. "No one really seems interested past that time."

She says golf courses welcome the extended season as many got a late start in the spring due to ice damage.

And in Glenside, LuLu Country Club is hosting a shotgun start for members only, with about 100 people already signed up.

"We'll take it," said general manager Jeff Orleski. "The revenue always helps and it's good for the member morale."

As for the ski resorts, Brooks adds there's not much they can do with spring-like temperatures and rain in late December.

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