Golf season has officially begun in the Elk Valley, and the local courses have been preparing for a busy season.
Here’s a look at the projects and programs they’ve got on the go or have completed in the off months.
Fernie Golf Club
Good weather has permitted Fernie Golf Club to open earlier this year. The greens welcomed golfers on May 2 — the earliest start date the course has had in decades.
“We are almost in summer conditions already. We’ve opened in extremely good conditions and very early, which is a unique combinations of things to happen,” said manager Max Sherwood.
The club has made a few updates to its facilities during the off-season. Staff have been gradually upgrading the club’s irrigation to a newer system, which Sherwood estimates will use 20 per cent less water.
The club fundraised extensively for the project last year, which Sherwood said will be critical in conserving water usage during drier summer months. He expects half of the project to be completed by the end of this year.
The club has acquired forward tee boxes this season, that will be placed in the middle of the fairway to help beginners practice their shots.
“It just helps speed of play for those who are new to the game of golf and don’t hit very far,” Sherwood explained.
Food and beverage services were contracted out to Bayleaf Indian Fusion, a locally-run regional restaurant chain with establishments in Cranbrook and Creston. The restaurant celebrated its grand opening on April 4 and 8. It serves both South Asian and western food, and is open year-round, with take-out and dine-in options.
READ MORE: Bayleaf Indian Fusion celebrates grand opening in Fernie with Angel Flight fundraiser
The first major event of the season is the Fernie Open on July 6 and 7 with men’s, women’s and senior’s divisions, followed by the Tony Servello Senior’s Open on July 18.
Leagues play weekly: Tuesday for women, Wednesday for men and Thursday for seniors.
Discounts are offered on Monday and Tuesday starting at 1 p.m.
The club is hosting Isabella Dicken and Fernie Secondary School students in the months of May and June for their phys-ed programs. Additionally, every club member can sponsor up to two juniors, age 18 and under, to win a free membership.
Mountain Meadows Golf Club
Mountain Meadows Golf Club in Elkford opens May 11, and the major project on the agenda this summer will be recontouring and extending the green at hole number five.
1,500 sq ft will be added to the green to make hole five an easier shot.
“It was a very difficult hole and we’ve expanded it while retaining some of the former character,” said president Bill MacDonald.
The club has set up an unserviced RV area next to the course for travelling golfers, many who come up from the U.S to play. MacDonald said it can accommodate up to 10 RVs.
Women’s night is Tuesday and Men’s night Thursday, starting at 4 p.m. in May and at 5 p.m. from June onward. Green fees will be half priced on Wednesday.
The events season starts off with Merl and Carol Shelley’s seventh annual Parkinson’s charity tournament on June 1, and the Elkford Chamber of Commerce’s fundraising tournament on June 22.
Later in the season, there will be a tournament for couples on July 20 and a Junior Tournament on July 27.
Open tournaments run Aug. 10 to 11 for men, Aug. 13 for women, and Aug. 21 for seniors.
Sparwood Golf Club
It’s all about youth and family at Sparwood Golf Club this season.
Pro shop manager Norma McDougall said they’ll host high school students up to two times per week for golf classes, and offer free afternoon golfing for youth on Tuesday and Sunday.
Student golf teams from across the region face off at the East Kootenay High School Tournament on May 14, with participating schools sending as many as 10 youth each.
The club got 32 sets of donated clubs from the local thrift shop — to be used for family, junior and student programs — and a new Gator utility machine with an attachment sprayer to keep the grounds in pristine condition. Three newly-hired youth will be taking care of the greens and running the pro shop.
The clubhouse and barbeque area have also received a fresh set of paint.
The club has two major upcoming events — a ladies day on June 4 to celebrate the nationally recognized Women’s Day of Golf and the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce tournament on June 6.
There will be reduced golf rates for men on Monday, women on Wednesday and seniors on Thursday, and for families in the evening on Tuesday.
The club officially opened on April 26.