I've been told by the boss -- no, not Bruce Springsteen -- my wife, Jean, that my spirits have improved greatly over the past few weeks. I know it has been brisk out there, but duty calls, and I've managed to get a few rounds of golf in. Layer up, avoid the wind, and it's definitely doable. As I've said before, I'm going to get in my daily walk, so why not on a golf course?

Many of you may think that golf course employees migrate to warmer climes during the winter. Not so. Winter is a point when golf course personnel take care of the many things they don't have time for during the golfing season. I had a chance to speak with a few year-round employees at some of our local courses and found out just what happens when the snow flies.

Showing up, unannounced, at Long Island National Golf Club, I ran into manager Mike Gaffney, who was his usual friendly self. Clad in his Benjamin Moore attire, Mike apologized for his dress. "I'm sorry, Jay, that I don't look like a golf course manager, but I'm planning to do a little painting today," he said.

No apologies necessary, Mike. Nice to know even the brass can multi-task.

During the winter, when Mike is not sprucing up the pro shop, other things occupy his time, such as taking phone calls from organizations looking to schedule outings for the coming year. "We're always trying to improve our marketing plans so we can stay competitive," Mike said. "This year, especially, we're working on promotions to fight the economy."

A little farther west, at the chilly Cherry Creek Golf Links maintenance barn, I met up with Joe Ranzie, the course superintendent, and his assistant, P. J. Quaresima.

"During the winter we do preventive maintenance on our mowers and other equipment," Joe said. "We also take care of the greenhouse, where we grow shrubs that we plant during the spring and fall. This winter we're working on enlarging the green on the fourth hole."

Looking to warm up, I made my way to the pro shop at Cherry Creek and spoke with attendant Charlie Sorensen. With eight years on the job, Charlie has seen slow and busy periods during the winter. "I prefer it when it's busy," he said. "When it gets slow I like to change things around in the pro shop. I want the shop to have a fresh look so customers will walk around."

Cherry Creek's head professional, Eileen McCaffrey, has no problem staying busy over the winter. "Every year we try to invent something new," Eileen said. "Most of the ordering for equipment and supplies is done by early winter. The last thing you need is to run out of scoring pencils in the middle of July," she said.

Eileen also works on putting her staff and schedule together for the upcoming golf season. "I brainstorm with our general manager, Peter Quaresima, working on specials and events," Eileen said. She also pays close attention to her e-mail list, which she uses very effectively to reach her customers.

So, even when there's snow on the ground, don't assume that your golf course work force is hunkered in the clubhouse, watching reruns of "The Brady Bunch." Fact is, they're hard at work getting your course ready for another great year of golf.

Time to share a secret with you: Tiger's back! After an eight-month period of recuperation from knee surgery TW is on the road again. There are many great players and stars on the PGA Tour, but there's only one Tiger. As NBC-TV golf commentator Roger Maltbie put it, "A lot of guys can play the fiddle, but only one guy is Itzhak Perlman."